ARNE ENGELS arrived at Celtic for a club record fee of £11million from Bundesliga club Augsburg on August deadline day last year.
The smooth operator soon discovered that high expectancy from fans comes with such a massive investment.
Engels celebrated his 21st birthday only nine days after his big-money arrival at Parkhead, but there were some misguided folk who demanded perfection in every game from the gifted middle of the park performer.
Alas, there are no guarantees in any transfer and patience proved to be a virtue beyond a few unrealistic observers if the Belgian international failed to light up proceedings every time he stepped onto the pitch.
£11MILLION MIDFIELD BATTLER…Arne Engels in a tussle with Hibs’ Jack Iredale.
Engels has proved to be pivotal in the champions’ resurgence in the past seven games since Martin O’Neill stepped in following the sudden departure of Brendan Rodgers.
He was outstanding in the team’s well-merited 3-1 Europa League victory over Feyenoord in Rotterdam five nights ago and he proved his bravery with a diving header against Hibs at Easter Road at the weekend that proved to be the winner in a 2-1 success.
The player took a kick in the face for his troubles as he displayed a fair degree of courage as he launched his head forward to make contact with Yang Hyun-jun’s left-wing cross while Jamie McGrath was swinging a wayward boot at the ball.
Engels is standing up to be counted at a crucial stage of the campaign and has his admirers among his colleagues. Skipper Callum McGregor is quick to say: “Listen, I love Arne, he’s some player for a kid, 22 now.
“He was just young when he came in with a big price tag last year.
“Maybe people unfairly judge him based on that, but he’s a tremendous player, who plays with a big heart and big energy and will always get better, because he has the right attitude.
ON THE BALL AND IN CONTROL…Callum McGregor leading the way at Easter Road.
“So, it’s our job to make him continue to grow.
“I was delighted for him on Sunday. He was outstanding on Thursday night, so, hopefully, he recovers and we go again against Dundee tomorrow night.”
The Hoops captain also addressed speculation he could come out of international retirement to join Scotland’s effort in the World Cup Finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico in June when the player will be 33.
McGregor, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “To be honest, it’s not something I’ve thought of. Obviously, the guys have done amazingly, they qualified in the last international break.
“I’ve lot of good team-mates and good friends in there, so I’m extremely happy for them. And for me, I just want to concentrate on the job I’ve got here.
“I don’t want to get drawn into anything like that.
“I’ve got a big, big job here, change of manager soon probably, so I’ll just keep trying to play well and help the team and whatever will be, will be.”
MERRY CHRISTMAS! ORDER NOW AND GET £5 OFF! Celtic Confidential is the stunning new book that brings the exclusive inside stories behind the headlines. Alex Gordon’s sixteenth Celtic book is available NOW. Order a copy and get £5 OFF the cover price of £25. All is revealed in a sensational new publication. Just click SHOP HERE and your book will be on its way. Happy Festive reading everyone!
