CELTIC’S £11million recruit Arne Engels celebrated his first start for the champions by nervelessly stroking in a high-pressure penalty-kick in the 2-0 win over Hearts.
The Belgian international midfielder got the nod ahead of Paulo Bernardo to be in at the kick-off at Parkhead as Brendan Rodgers’ men sought a fifth successive Premiership victory.
Engels set them on the way his immaculate spot-kick beyond former Hoops No.1 Craig Gordon to break the deadlock seven minutes after the turnaround.
Luke McCowan, another deadline day arrival, lashed in a left-foot effort near the end to seal the points.
Engels, who arrived in a record-breaking switch from Bundesliga outfit Augsburg, took to Instagram later to say: “Magical day.”
The 21-year-old playmaker turned in a Man of the Match performance as the hosts overcame a stubborn Tynecastle side in front of a rocking Celtic Park for the second successive matchday after the 3-0 derby triumph a fortnight ago when the new Bhoy made his first appearance as a 62nd-minute substitute for Bernardo.
Engels, speaking to Celtic TV, summed up: “It’s an amazing feeling to get the win at home.
“It wasn’t an easy one because we didn’t score in the first-half, but we stayed calm and we knew the chances would come and that we would score.
“So, I’m happy for the team and that’s the most important thing.”
PICK IT OUT…Arne Engels sends Craig Gordon the wrong way with his penalty-kick.
Engels, who is looking forward to his Champions League baptism against Slovan Bratislava in Paradise on Wednesday, added: “The team is always going really hard to push and push.
“It’s only good for me and the team to create a lot of chances.”
Thankfully, Engels stepped up to slot away his spot-kick with expertise after he had been out of luck in the opening period with a rasping low shot that cannoned off the woodwork.
The Tynecastle men escaped on that occasion, but the youngster made them pay after the break.
NEW BHOYS ENGELS AND McCOWAN ARE SMASH-HITS
