Arne Engels is rapidly becoming the name on everyone’s lips at Celtic following his high-profile move from Augsburg on deadline day.
The 21-year-old midfielder arrived in Glasgow for a club-record £11 million, and the pressure is now on him to deliver.
But Engels, brimming with confidence, has vowed to repay Brendan Rodgers’ faith and show exactly why Celtic made such a significant investment in him.
“They obviously paid a big amount for me, and I want to return a lot for the club. I just want to be (on) my best form here and just perform like I always do,” Engels said. “That’s why they did it, so it’s just for me to adapt quickly to the situation, to the team.”
Engels has already made his debut in one of football’s most intense atmospheres, featuring in the Old Firm clash against Rangers.
Now, as Celtic prepare to face Heart of Midlothian this weekend, supporters are eager to see if the young Belgian will be drafted into the starting line-up.
However, not everyone is convinced that Engels’ journey to becoming a regular starter will be straightforward, despite his hefty price tag.
Former Celtic player Mark Wilson has sounded a note of caution, suggesting that Engels will have to battle for his place in the side, particularly with competition from players like Luke McCowan.
Mark Wilson on Arne Engels:
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Wilson reminded fans that the 21-year-old won’t be walking into the team without a fight.
“He’s going to have a fight,” Wilson said. “Celtic have got three very good midfielders in there at the minute. They’ve added him at 11 million.
“McCowan’s shown that he knows the league, he knows how to score goals in this league. So even below him, if you want to put it in those terms, Engels has got to battle, because McCowan will push him no doubt every day in training.
“At a big club like Celtic, nothing is guaranteed. You don’t get a guaranteed starting place because you were signed for X amount of money.
“Look at Idah. Idah was signed for 9 million, and people are saying, ‘oh well, that guarantees Idah will play and Kyogo will play second fiddle.’ Well, you saw what Kyogo thought of that against Rangers. That doesn’t happen.”
Nothing is guaranteed in football:
Engels is expected to thrive in the Celtic midfield, especially after gaining valuable experience in the Bundesliga with Augsburg. But as Wilson pointed out, the order of a starting line-up can depend on many factors, and no player is guaranteed a spot, regardless of their price tag.
While Engels’ fee suggests he’s been brought in as a key player, it wouldn’t be entirely surprising if McCowan, who joined for a much smaller fee, played a bigger role under Rodgers. That unpredictability is part of the excitement in football.
Still, the hope among Celtic fans is that Engels will blossom into a key figure for the club. If given ample opportunities, the young midfielder could become a driving force in Celtic’s quest for silverware this season.