Derek McInnes sounds worried ahead of Kilmarnock game with latest Celtic/Matt O’Riley claim

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With Celtic preparing to face Kilmarnock this afternoon, Derek McInnes sounds worried ahead of the Rugby Park game.

McInnes had already hit back at Celtic’s Champions League critics this week after saying the criticism Brendan Rodgers’ team received from the media was out of order.

With Aberdeen three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, Celtic must beat Kilmarnock this afternoon and it seems that the strength of this current Hoops team is worrying the Killie boss.

Celtic ‘look like a better team’ without Brighton star Matt O’Riley

With Celtic racking up the goals and impressing with their counter-attacking style, McInnes pointed out what is so much more different about the Bhoys since Matt O’Riley left in the summer.

McInnes told the Daily Record, “I think there’s more speed about this Celtic team. There’s a different dynamic about them, as good as that team was and should be remembered as in 2017.

“Both teams are slightly different but the approach is still the same.

“I think there’s maybe a bit more growth in this Celtic side potentially if they’re allowed to grow. Matt O’Riley left in the summer but they replaced him with Arne Engels.

“So they lost arguably their best player – but they actually look like a better team. The investment they’ve made is helping the manager develop this team.”

Arne Engels’ and his impact at Celtic

Arne Engels arrived at Celtic as the club’s most expensive transfer signing in their history so the hype surrounding the youngster was, understandably, high.

Since then the 21-year-old has made 15 appearances in the green and white Hoops this season scoring in the Scottish Premiership and the Champions League.

With three goals and six assists to his name, Engels has found the back of the net against Hearts, Slovan Bratislava and Dundee so far this season.

Is the young Belgian the actual replacement for O’Riley at Celtic? Those are mighty big boots to fill but it is fair to say that Engels is coming along real nice at the beginning of his Parkhead career.