Billy Dodds thinks Celtic have a gem who will transform into a ‘top player’ under Brendan Rodgers

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic’s recruitment has required one key ingredient over the years and that’s patience.

Yes, there have been times when fans have wanted and craved that ready-made player, but that isn’t how the powers that be do business.

Time and time again, Celtic have brought in that unknown rising star who requires development, before going on to prove their worth.

Nicolas Kuhn is the prime example right now at Parkhead, whilst Matt O’Riley transformed into an outstanding player, before earning a big-money Premier League move in the summer.

From a financial perspective, Celtic are making pots of money and are in a very healthy position, as O’Riley’s sale to Brighton proved.

Brendan Rodgers might have lost such a key figure in the middle of the park, but Billy Dodds thinks another special talent is in the pipeline.

Billy Dodds backs Arne Engels to become a ‘top player’ at Celtic

Arne Engels is Celtic’s record transfer and that’s a cloud that will continue to hover above his head, until he consistently performs or falls flat on his face.

Dodds thinks the champions have a ‘top, top player’ on their hands, but he is a ‘long-term’ project, as he told Go Radio.

The former Scotland international understands Celtic fans want new players to ‘hit the ground running’, but feels Engels needs time and he has already shown signs about what he is all about.

“I know these stories come up when it’s transfer window time,” said Dodds. “But the investment in him. The long-term project

“I know a lot of fans want him to hit the ground running. I think he is a top player. Even looking at some of the things he did in his early games at Celtic, I think ‘oh wow’. Physical, quick and a strong runner. I mean really technical as well.

“I just think he is young. He has found it difficult to settle into a big, big club. Somtimes, it can take you a long while. It can take you a full season. I think Celtic will give him and the word I would use is patience. They will be patient with him. They will know he will come again. He has already started to show again, right away when Brendan took him out of the team. Put him back in. Scored a goal. He’s a long-term project. I don’t think Celtic will even look at even putting him out on loan. I just think they will take their time with him and he will be a top, top player.”

Engels’ stats for Celtic this season

A mentioned above, Kuhn is the example for Celtic and you sense there will be a lot of expectation on Engels’ shoulders next season.

So far, Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor are the two main men in the middle, with Engels fighting Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo for the other starting spot.

Competition		Apps	Goals	Assists	Minutes
	Premiership	18	4	2	979′
	UEFA Champions League	6	1	3	407′
	League Cup	3	–	4	142′