Callum McGregor comes out swinging for ‘tremendous’ Celtic player who is ‘unfairly judged’

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Celtic captain Callum McGregor has led the club through one of the most successful and turbulent periods of their most recent history.

McGregor has lifted more silverware than other Celtic players, past and present, could only dream of and he’s done so with the help of the teammates around him.

The Hoops captain, however, has taken issue with what he has heard being said about one of his Celtic comrades as McGregor leaps to his defence.

And McGregor has tipped the ‘unfairly’ criticised Celtic star to become a top player for the club.

• READ MORE: Mark Clattenburg’s verdict on Hibs star’s ‘reckless’ kick to Celtic’s Arne Engels’ head

Celtic captain launches serious defence of Arne Engels

Arne Engels arrived at Parkhead with the immediate label of being Celtic’s most expensive-ever player last summer.

The Belgian immediately showed his class as Engels helped Celtic win a double and get through the new Champions League phase.

However, McGregor has launched a serious defence of Engels after hearing what his Celtic critics are saying about a player he ‘loves’.

McGregor told The Celtic Way, “Listen, I love Arne, he’s some player for a kid, maybe 22 now. He was 21 when he came in with a big price tag last year.

‘Maybe people unfairly judge him based on the price tag, but I think he’s a tremendous player who plays with a big heart and big energy and will always get better because he has the right attitude.’

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“Maybe people unfairly judge him based on the price tag, but I think he’s a tremendous player who plays with a big heart and big energy and will always get better because he has the right attitude.

“So, it’s our job to make him continue to grow. I was delighted for him to get his goal against Hibs. He was outstanding on Thursday night, so hopefully he recovers, and we can go again on Wednesday.”

Arne Engels has justified every penny of the £11m Celtic transfer fee

He may have cost Celtic £11m, but Engels has justified every penny of that transfer fee since his arrival in the summer of 2024.

Admittedly, the Belgian international has not always been at his best but in his first season, and recently under Martin O’Neill, Engels has repaid a large chunk of the hefty fee.

And here is why:

• Played: 74
• Goals: 12
• Assists: 17
• Champions League goals: 1
• Champions League assists: 3
• Trophies: 1 x league winner, 1 x League Cup

At just 22 and contracted to Celtic until 2028, many people need to remember that Engels is still a developing player despite what the price tag seems to suggest.