Engels return a major boost for Celtic’s season run-in
Engels return a major boost for Celtic’s season run-in Arne Engels return will be much welcomed. Results in his absence prove just how influential the Belgian midfielder is to our side… Arne Engels is back in full training, and fit and raring to go as we get set to enter a run of vital fixtures in the league and Scottish Cup. The Belgian international, the club’s record signing after Brendan Rodgers swooped to bring him to Glasgow in an £11 million move from Augsburg 18 months ago has been absent from the squad since limping off during the 2-1 home win over Livingston in February, but is now available for selection, with a place in the squad for Sunday’s trip to Dens Park looking ever so likely.
Arne Engels against RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa Champions League, Celtic 3-1 RB Leipzig Celtic Park, 05. 11. 2024.
Photo IMAGO / motivio Let’s hope that is the case, as despite being a player who isn’t short of critics in the Celtic support, especially among the Rodgers haters, he’s something of a major asset to our side. Those who disagree on my opinion, and there will be more than a few, only have to look at results and the static performances that we’ve been subjected to with Arne sat on the sidelines. Since Arne hobbled off against Livingston, this Celtic side has looked out of sorts, contributing in us dropping six valuable points in his absence, and even in the games we’ve won, we’ve looked very poor, in the middle of the park in particular.
His critics won’t agree, but Arne is a vital cog in our side, due to his undoubted ability to control the tempo in midfield, especially under the guidance of Martin O’Neill who seems to have the Belgian playing to the best of his ability. Arne Engels of Celtic celebrates after he scores his team’s fourth goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on November 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) Arne not only pops up with vital strikes, he is also one of, if not the best creative outlet we have in terms of assists.
Arne is young, he’s hungry, he’s full of desire and an overall terrific footballer. Being denied his services has made us a much poorer side, something that’s been evident in our recent results and performances. Brendan Rodgers of Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 September 2025 Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock Brendan Rodgers bought him for £11m, Celtic turned down THREE bids on the last day of the January transfer from Nottingham Forest with the last one reaching the £25m mark.