ARNE ENGELS is poised to play a crucial role for Celtic in the run-in to a tumultuous campaign.
The £11million record buy from Augsburg in the 2024 summer window made his return to first-team action as a 63rd-minute substitute in the nervy 1-0 Premiership win over St Mirren at Parkhead on Saturday.
Engels added drive and determination to a struggling midfield against the Paisley club, but the Belgian still requires minutes before he is up to speed.
The stylish playmaker hadn’t been seen since hirpling off with a thigh problem in the first-half of the 2-1 victory over Livingston on February 11.
Martin O’Neill has revealed he plans to fit in a game to help his returning stars before they take on the Saints again in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden on Sunday.
THUMBS UP…comeback Bhoy Arne Engels is looking forward to play his part in Celtic’s crucial run-in to the season.
In recent weeks, Engels, Alistair Johnston, and Callum Osmand have all stepped up their bid to get back into contention.
O’Neill wants to push the recovery process and said: “We will try to get a bounce game for some of the players coming back. That was the plan for Alistair Johnston coming back from his time in Canada.
“We were going to organise that and it would help. We don’t want to rush people back, but if they are feeling good and want to have a bounce game, that would be ideal.”
O’Neill, speaking to the Glasgow Times, added: “I’ve not seen Jota, Cameron Carter-Vickers or Johnston throughout my two spells.
“These are guys who have in the past been automatic choices.”
Jota hasn’t kicked a ball this season and Carter-Vickers underwent surgery following his collapse at the end of the 2-1 Europa League victory over Sturm Graz at Parkhead in October.
HAMPDEN HERO…Callum Osmand is grounded after scoring the third and killer goal against Jack Butland in Celtic’s 3-1 Premier Sports League Cup semi-final triumph.
Johnston’s anticipated return will boost O’Neill’s options at right-back where Anthony Ralston made a rare first-team start at the weekend with Colby Donovan and on-loan Julian Araujo ruled out.
The champions are in dire need of firepower and former Fulham kid Osmand, who netted the third goal in the 3-1 Premier Sports League Cup semi-final against Ibrox opposition in November, would be a welcome option.
Unfortunately, for the young Welsh raider, he sustained a hamstring strain in the next outing – the 3-1 loss to FC Midtjylland in Denmark – and has been out for five months.
Now O’Neill hopes his comeback Bhoys will be able to play their part in the vitally important games that lie ahead.
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