BBC pundit Michael Stewart launches a passionate defence of Celtic midfielder Arne Engels

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Arne Engels has been the talk of the pundits and Celtic fans these last few weeks as the young Belgian appears to struggle for form.

Engels made his £11m move to Celtic from Augsburg in the summer and made an almost immediate impact in the green and white Hoops.

Making his debut in Celtic’s 3-0 hammering of Rangers, Engels looked comfortable in one of the toughest fixtures on the SPFL calendar.

The 21-year-old then followed that up with a goal in his first Celtic start against Hearts and a goal against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League.

But as the debate rages over whether Bernardo should start for Celtic over Engels, BBC pundit Michael Stewart has launched a furious defence of the young Belgian international.

Michael Stewart says Arne Engels has already proved what ‘he can do’ for Celtic

Stewart told BBC Radio Scotland, “I would echo what the guys have just been saying. You look at him as a player, he’s got all the technical ability.

“He’s shown in his first few games as well, obviously, when he was on a high, he’s just made the move, confidence was right up there, getting a couple of goals, you could see that his all-round game’s there.

“Now, even if you watch some players when they come over and you might look at them and you think, technically, they look quite nice but they don’t really have a huge impact on the game.

“I think we’ve seen already that he can do that and it’s just a question of giving them the time and space to find his feet again.”

Michael Stewart rejects notion that Arne Engels is in ‘crisis’ at Celtic

Stewart then goes on to praise Brendan Rodgers for his handling of Engels and admits the Celtic boss is right to say that it will take time for the youngster to settle in at the club.

“Inevitably, Brendan Rodgers is correct to point out that he’s going to take a little bit of time,” Stewart continued, “It’s not as if it’s a crisis.

“Celtic as a team and a squad can quite easily handle things without Arne Engels being at the top of his game and others are getting an opportunity.

“But this is not a situation where he’s come in and he’s now say, 10 games into it and you’re looking and saying, ‘What is it he’s got?’

“We have seen it. It has drifted slightly. I think there’s absolutely no cause for alarm.”

At just 21, Engels has his whole career and a five-year contract to make his mark at Celtic.

And already this season, the Belgian has contributed three goals and six assists on both the domestic and European scene for Celtic.

Left out of Celtic’s starting lineup to face Ross County, Engels will have plenty of opportunity this season to prove his Celtic doubters wrong as Brendan Rodgers nurtures one of the best talents Belgium has to offer.