CALLUM McGREGOR insists £11million record signing Arne Engels will be protected from the flak by his Celtic team-mates.
The Hoops captain reckons some of the criticism that has come the way of the champions’ expensive purchase from Bundesliga club Augsburg on August deadline day is totally unwarranted.
Engels was still only 20 when he signed a four-year deal and his fee eclipsed the £9.5million paid to Norwich City for Republic of Ireland international striker Adam Idah a couple of weeks earlier.
McGregor rated the Belgian international midfielder as “excellent” in the 1-1 stalemate at Ibrox at the weekend and said: “What everyone forgets is he is still so young.
IT TAKES TWO…Callum McGregor and Arne Engels acknowledge the Celtic fans after the Premier Sports League Cup triumph at Hampden in mid-December.
“He’s in his first season and was nominated for Young Player of the Year and that shows how well he has done. Arne comes with a mammoth price tag so straight away everyone forgets the fact he is still only 21.
“He can be really proud of his first season because I know how difficult it is and now people are not cutting him the slack because they demand more from him.
“We have to protect him — and we will.”
McGregor, speaking to the Scottish Sun, continued: “Arne has got massive quality, massive ability. He has got a great temperament and he has scored 10 goals, a really good return for his first season.
“He also played 10 games in the Champions League, he is only going to get better, which is brilliant for us.
“For a first season, to come in and settle the way Arne has, we are really proud of him and happy with what he has done.
“He has also played all these derby games and been a part of a successful Celtic team who are going to hopefully finish at least 17 points clear.
“We have another Cup Final to add to what we have already done.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Callum McGregor congratulates Adam Idah after his strike in the 5-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in May last year that helped Celtic seal their third successive title.
“To be a huge part of it, to have played so many games, with a really good return and a bulk of work — he will have that experience and will come back in the summer even better for it.”
The Hoops’ onfield leader also took time to hail the efforts of frontman Idah who has also come in for scrutiny after his big-money arrival at Parkhead.
The 24-year-old Cork-born frontman claimed his 18th goal of the campaign with the leveller in the derby and McGregor added: “In big games, strikers score goals and Adam has done that again at a difficult venue.
“He did it last year as well for us and in the Cup Final.
“He’s making a habit of getting big goals in big games.
“Adam’s one who has come in for big money and his return, for his first full season, has been very good — and he will only get better.”
Engels and Idah are likely to get the nod from Brendan Rodgers to start against Hibs at Parkhead on Saturday as the champions continue the Premiership run-in with just two games to play against Aberdeen and St Mirren.
Then the focus turns to the Scottish Cup Final against the Dons at Hampden a fortnight on Saturday with another silverware clean sweep up for grabs.
The £20.5million double-act are willing and eager to play their part in the continuing success story of Celtic.
