The single most inevitable thing about this summer transfer window is that Arne Engels will leave Celtic.
Nottingham Forest’s eleventh-hour January bid for Engels was a sign of things to come, and he now seems to be wanted by half of Europe.
He’s one of several midfielders being linked away. Reo Hatate also appears destined for an exit, whilst Benjamin Nygren has refused to rule out a move in interviews.
It’s bound to be a summer of change in Martin O’Neill’s engine room – but Engels will need to be replaced in more ways than one.
How do you feel about Ross Grant joining from Hearts?
Share your thoughts, Celtic fans…👇
Celtic need a corner-taker to replace Arne Engels
Engels has been criticised by some fans for his set-piece delivery, but the reality is that he has consistently ranked among the best in the country for his delivery.
He took the third-most successful corners in the Scottish Premiership last season, also ranking highly for set-piece chance creation in both of his seasons at the club.
READ MORE: Wolfsberger chief confirms Nikolas Polster status with player ‘keen’ on Celtic move
Stats aside, the eye test backs up that Engels has a unique set-piece technique. His corners come in at wicked pace.
Make no mistake: this is part of the reason why he is so sought-after. Anyone who watched any Premier League match last season will attest that set-piece takers are in vogue.
The Belgian is not solely at fault if his corner does not result in a goal – it takes two to tango… in fact, with set-pieces nowadays, it takes much more than two.
Just as important in the set-piece success rate is the set-piece coach, a role previously held de facto by Gavin Strachan and recently handed to Ross Grant.
Engels’ whipped corner technique will work perfectly down south, where the general plan of action on corners has become to crowd the six-yard box and whip the ball directly into that area with as much velocity as possible.
So when Celtic lose Engels in the coming weeks, it won’t just be about replacing the midfielder. His departure will also leave a major void in the corner-taking department.
Thoughts on the new Adidas away kit? Will you buy, or continue the Not Another Penny campaign?
Brendan Rodgers labelled Arne Engels’ set-piece delivery ‘world-class’
There was a bit of confusion at Brendan Rodgers choosing Engels as Matt O’Riley’s replacement at a club-record fee, given his relative lack of goalscoring contribution.
Rodgers’ comments on the set-piece factor address some of that confusion.
He said last October (less than a week before his resignation):” Arne Engels, I thought, was outstanding in the game. Coming back in gave us that energy and that fight.
“His set-piece quality really is world-class, the level.
“I just felt that we needed that sort of triangle back again in midfield, his responses were great on the training ground.
“He’s got his reward for that tonight because I thought he was really powerful and played so, so well.”
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
