The real reason Brendan Rodgers benched Arne Engels for Dinamo Zagreb vs Celtic

Add as preferred source on Google

Brendan Rodgers has revealed why he decided to bench Arne Engels for Celtic’s crucial Champions League tie against Dinamo Zagreb.

Brendan Rodgers named his Celtic team for the big game with his record signing warming up the bench as Paulo Bernardo was given the nod.

And to be fair to the Portugal U21 captain, the Celtic midfielder played really well before being subbed in the second as Engels got his Champions League chance against the Croatians.

However, the introduction of the Belgian international midfielder wasn’t enough to secure a win as Celtic earned a draw in Zagreb and speaking before kick-off, Brendan Rodgers revealed why his £11.5m summer signing was left on the bench.

Arne Engels ‘not used’ to Celtic’s system vs Dinamo Zagreb

Rodgers started Paulo Bernardo against the Croats and here, the Celtic boss explains exactly why he left the Belgian on the bench.

Rodgers told TNT Sports, “I just felt that with Paulo, I think we feel it’s a game where we’re going to have a lot of the ball and he’s one that’s sort of a little bit more used to our system when we have a lot of the ball a lot.

“I think it’s going to be important for the players that are on the side tonight as well to come in. So, yeah, that was the only change we felt we needed.”

Bernardo’s performance was one of the shining lights on a night where Celtic probably felt they should have done more to try and win the game.

It’s clear the Portuguese midfielder is getting stronger every game he plays and, so far, that Celtic jersey is his unless Engels starts to find his form really soon.

Arne Engels vs Paulo Bernardo’s Celtic Scottish Premiership stats

The debate on who should start both Celtic players is one that has been raging between the fans for a number of weeks now.

Bernardo has never let Rodgers down whether he starts or comes on as a sub as Engels looks like he is struggling for form.

So with that in mind, 67 Hail Hail decided to compare both players’ stats this season to see which of the two are worthy of that Celtic starting spot.