MARTIN O’NEILL is refusing to rush Arne Engels back into action.
Celtic’s £11million record signing has not been seen since hirpling off with a thigh problem after just 29 minutes in the Hoops’ 2-1 stoppage-time win over Livingston at Parkhead on February 11.
Engels has missed the last seven games and there will be no sign of the gifted midfielder against Motherwell in the crucial Premiership encounter in the east end of Glasgow this afternoon.
CELTIC WOE…Arne Engels comes off in the game against Livingston last month.
And O’Neill has admitted the 22-year-old playmaker will not be in contention for the trip to Tannadice to face Dundee United a week tomorrow.
Despite featuring at Lennoxtown yesterday, Engels is now returning to Belgium to see a specialist and the Hoops interim manager, speaking to The Herald, said: “He’s doing fine. He’s here at this minute, but he’s going back.
“He’s had a few days at home, as well. Instead of him going back on Thursday, I’ve allowed him to go back on Tuesday.
“He will be doing work there, hopefully not just lazing around! He should be back after the international break.”
The champions are scheduled to resume their quest for a fifth successive title when they play Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday April 5.
Engels has been just one of several Celts struck by serious injury this season with Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers hardly figuring while it looks as though Filipe Jota will miss an entire campaign.
CELTIC WOE…Callum Osmand has joined the growing injury list.
Even young striking prospect Callum Osmand, who scored the third and killer goal in the 3-1 Premier Sports League Cup semi-final victory over Danny Rohl’s Ibrox side in November, was sidelined shortly afterwards and hasn’t been seen since.
Through it all, though, the Hoops are still in the battle for a league and Cup double in a turbulent season.
Three points today are imperative to keep the pressure on Hearts who will play Kilmarnock at Rugby Park later on this evening.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v Motherwell this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
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