Chris Sutton has been assessing the current strength of Celtic after watching the Bhoys in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Brendan Rodgers’ side picked up their ever group stage victory in the tournament with a 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava, starting this year’s edition in style.
The manager has his team playing with belief and confidence. Every player looks ready to give everything, from veteran stalwarts to new signings, for the Celtic cause.
New Bhoys Arne Engels was one of the standouts – named in one stat website’s team of the week – and Sutton reckons that Celtic have found themselves a bargain despite his record £11m fee.
- READ MORE: Celtic’s Most Expensive Signings of All-Time
Chris Sutton lauds new Celtic arrival Arne Engels
The former striker said [Daily Record]: “The Belgian’s display just proved Rodgers was right to push the boat out to get him. In fact, any scouts or spies in the stands or tuning in would have looked at Engels and felt £11m was a bargain.
“It is in European terms. The likes of Brentford spent £30m on Igor Thiago, Ipswich Town spent double the cost of Engels on Omari Hutchinson. Celtic spent a lot in comparison to Bratislava – but it’s still chicken feed compared to the likes of Borussia Dortmund.
“It’s obvious Engels is a player though. He’s got ability on the ball and he’s got tremendous physicality.
“He’s barely in the door and looks like he’s been in with the bricks for ages. For the first time in donkeys, Celtic even look a threat from corner kicks with him on dead balls.
“It’s early days and he’s still got to be developed, but he already looks like he’s the perfect fit for Celtic’s model of buying prospects and getting the best out of them before big money offers come calling.
“Let’s not wish him away just yet though. Engels is a young guy and while he’s shown he’s got terrific temperament with those penalties, there will be a time when his form dips a touch.”
The numbers behind all-action Arne Engels display
Engels plays with a maturity beyond his 21 years and has an impressive Celtic readiness after just his second start.
He stepped up to the elite level on Wednesday night and stood out as one of the best players on the pitch.
Winning nine of his 13 duels, four of his six tackles and completing seven defensive actions, it’s clear he can cope with a physical battle.
On the ball he had a 92% pass completion rate, creating two chances, one of which was the assist for Liam Scales’ powered header.
As mentioned by Sutton, set-pieces look to be a strength and his composure when slotting home the penalty was fantastic to witness.
Box-to-box, he looks to be the player Celtic needed to replace Matt O’Riley and he is just getting started.
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