ARNE ENGELS experienced a sweet and sore moment when he headed in what emerged as Celtic’s winner in the 2-1 triumph over Hibs at Easter Road yesterday.
The Belgian bravely dived in to make a perfect connection with a left-wing cross from the revitalised Yang Hyun-jun to thunder an unstoppable six-yard effort over the clawing fingers of keeper Raphael Sallinger.
It was the champions’ second goal inside two minutes in a remarkable spell in the capital following Daizen Maeda’s opener in the 27th minute.
HEAD BHOY…Arne Engels holds his face after a kick from Jamie McGrath as his header zooms into the Hibs net for Celtic’s second – and winning – goal at Easter Road.
Unfortunately for Engels, the £11million man took a boot in the face for his troubles and rival midfielder Jamie McGrath was booked for his wayward high-foot challenge.
Thankfully, Engels responded after some on field treatment and played out the entire confrontation as the Hoops closed to within two points of leaders Hearts and have a game in hand.
The 22-year-old stylish player admitted afterwards: “To be honest, I didn’t really see it going in, so I didn’t know it was a goal until Cal told me.
“I was happy although I was still a bit worried for my nose because it was a sore one. In the end, though, I was really happy to get a goal and for the team to get a win here.
“I think we were really good. It’s a really tough place to come and we dealt with it really well.”
NO PAIN, NO GAIN…Arne Engels is flattened after Jamie McGrath’s challenge as Luke McCowan races to congratulate his team-mate for the points-clinching goal.
Engels, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “We scored two really good goals from pressing and from a cross, so we can be really happy with our performance and now we just need to keep on going and win every game that comes.
“There’s a really good atmosphere that we have and before this week came up we told ourselves that it would be really tough, so it’s really nice to get three victories away from home because it’s never easy.
“I’m really proud of the boys that we came through this week really well.”
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