ARNE ENGELS will prove to be “a great addition” to Celtic – but he needs time to settle in to a new environment.
That’s the view of former Hoops midfield star Stiliyan Petrov who reflected on his £1.8million move to Parkhead from CSKA Sofia in July 1999.
Petrov has sympathy with the Belgian playmaker who became the club’s most expensive signing at £11million when he joined from Bundesliga club Augsburg on August deadline day.
There was a weight of expectation on the 21-year-old middle-of-the-park performer with many believing he had been introduced as a straight replacement for Matt O’Riley who had just agreed a £25million-plus switch to Brighton.
CLASS ACT…Arne Engels has impressed former Celtic favourite Stiliyan Petrov.
It hasn’t quite worked out that way with the new Bhoy eager to show he is his own man as he battles with Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan for a place beside mainstays Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate in the champions’ engine room.
Petrov is convinced the best is yet to come from Engels.
The ex-Bulgarian international captain said: “He needs time. It took me time to adapt, but with me it was completely different.
“I had the opportunity to play with very experienced players, good leaders.
“Lubo Moravcik was there with other players who played in that position who could give me a lot of points and help me and push me and be competitive.”
Petrov, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “Engels definitely has ability. He’s definitely shown that he can play.
“He’s very clever and he’s intelligent.
“I think he’ll be a great addition to this club.”
