ARNE ENGELS, Celtic’s record £11million signing, has still to convince a section of fans about his worth.
Brendan Rodgers admitted there was “negativity” surrounding the Belgian playmaker who made his first start of the season in the champions’ 4-1 Premier Sports League Cup triumph over Falkirk at Parkhead last night.
The big-money Belgian produced a stunning performance against John McGlynn’s overwhelmed Premiership newcomers as he bombarded Scott Bain and Co with a series of excellent deadball deliveries.
The only surprise was that the Hoops capitalised just once and that came just after the hour mark when another inviting set-piece from the left was headed in by Dane Murray for his first goal for the club.
Engels dominated for lengthy spells before making way in the 77th minute to allow Paulo Bernardo the opportunity to make his first appearance of the campaign.
CORNER BHOY…Arne Engels prepares for another special delivery against Falkirk.
The 21-year-old international arrived at Parkhead in a deadline-day switch from Bundesliga outfit Augsburg in the summer.
Some demanding supporters perhaps expected a lot more from the youngster, but his Hoops gaffer is quick to acknowledge his value to the team.
Rodgers said: “Yeah, I think there’s obviously negativity around Arne and some of these guys.
“But for a manager, we’ve put a really good player in. We take a really good player out. And then I can change it.
“And it’s absolutely great for the squad. His attitude is great. He tired a little bit, a little bit of looseness towards the last five, 10 minutes.
“But his quality from his set-pieces and his general work-rate and intensity was great. He’s a boy who gives everything.
“There’s a lot on his shoulders as an expensive player. This is a guy who has potential, but it costs a little bit more.”
HEADSCRATCHER…Daizen Maeda may be wondering why it took him until the third game of the season to open his goalscoring account.
Rodgers, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “He’s nowhere near the finished article. We’ve just had to pay more for potential. You can buy potential at a million quid and two million quid.
“A lot of the time, it doesn’t work. Sometimes it does. I will tell you a lot of time, it doesn’t.
“But him, we’ve had to pay a little bit more to get the athleticism, to get the physicality that this team needed.
“And now I’ve got great options in there. Guys who are physical, but guys who are also technical. So, I don’t complain.”
As well as Murray, Daizen Maeda claimed his first goal of the season with a diving header to give the holders a first-half lead over Falkirk.
Alistair Johnston whipped in a second shortly after the turnaround, the young centre-back nodded in No.3 and Liam Henderson turned a Yang Hyun-jun low left-wing cross into his own net to bring down the curtain on the scoring.
Rodgers’ men will discover their quarter-final opponents when the draw is made at 8pm after the Rangers v Alloa tie which is due for a 5.45pm kick-off at Ibrox.
COMMAND PERFORMANCE FROM FULL-THROTTLE HOOPS
