ARNE ENGELS is just two wins away from collecting his second medal in his first season as the most expensive player in Celtic history.
A victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in today’s nook kick-off and a follow-up triumph over Kilmarnock at Parkhead on Saturday will bring the £11million August deadline-day recruit his first league title honour.
Engels will be able to sit that medal alongside the one he collected in the Premier Sports League Cup Final following the penalty-kick shoot-out success over doomed Philippe Clement’s Ibrox at Hampden in mid-December.
And the stylish Belgium international playmaker can completed a spectacular personal hat-trick if Brendan Rodgers’ men can claim the Scottish Cup at the national stadium on May 24 to complete a marvellous domestic campaign with a world record NINTH treble.
SMOKE AND MEDALS…Arne Engels is focused during the dramatic setting of Hampden as he prepares to pick up a Premier Sports League Cup winner’s medal in December, his first honour in football.
Engels has been caught up in a whirlwind since his big-money switch from Augsburg and it’s changed days for the midfielder whose team finished just six points above the Bundesliga relegation play-off zone last term.
The smooth operator was signed only nine days before his 21st birthday and made his first appearance as a second-half substitute in the 3-0 stroll against Rangers at Parkhead at the beginning of September.
Asked how he would assess his first seven months at the champions, Engels answered: “It’s been pretty decent.
“I’ve hit good numbers and already have one trophy in the bag. I can only make the season better by performing well every week now.
“I’m working on trying to help the team in every way – not just with goals and assists, but also with defensive things.
“We’re in a good place as a team and I’m in a good way, too.
“Of course, I need to step up a few things. But I know where I’ve come from and what I’m working on to be better.
CUP THAT CHEERS…Arne Engels joins in the joy with his triumphant team-mates as Callum McGregor prepares to hold the silverware aloft to the acclaim of the jubilant Celtic fans.
“There are still some details to improve and I feel I’ll be better next season.
“Every year I want to improve. I’m not stressing about it – I just know I’ll be better and I’m still young.
“I have a lot to work on, but I’ll be trying again next year.”
Celtic will be involved in the Champions League qualifying stage in July, but Engels is refusing to look too far ahead.
The Belgian international, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “We’re just focusing on the next game and we’ll see where we are in the end.
“We want to win every game, that’s always the only thing in our minds.
“Even though a lot of boys here have won titles already, they’re still so hungry for more.
“That shows a really good spirit in our team, to always want more. We had a really nice campaign in the Champions League this year.
“We ended it really strong against Bayern and were just unfortunate to lose a goal in the last 30 seconds. That showed how good a team we can be in that competition.
“We still have things to do before getting to the Champions League again – so I don’t want to speak too early.
“But it would be fantastic to be there again with Celtic next season.”
THAT’S MY BHOY…Arne Engels celebrates with Daizen Maeda after one of the Japanese ace’s 30 Celtic goals this season.
Thirty-goal frontman Daizen Maeda is running away from the competition in the race for Scottish Player of the Year award, but Engels believes EVERY Hoops performer is in contention for the prize.
He added: “I think all of my team-mates deserve to be candidates. But, of course, Daizen has been incredible.
“He’s scored so many goals and had a lot of assists. Not only that, but he presses really well and helps the team.
“It’s not just about the numbers, it’s about his work-rate. He’s been fantastic for us and I hope he continues that form in the upcoming games.
“I’m sure he will. I want him to keep going, keep scoring –because it will help our journey end the way we want it to this season.”
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and best action images from St Johnstone v Celtic this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
