At the end of the day, I’m just a Muppet in a chair. So, what do I know? But since everyone else has an opinion on Arne Engels already, I’m going to have my say. Some of the commentary around this kid is absolutely preposterous.
It’s very clear to me that a lot of people don’t understand what we’ve bought and aren’t patient enough to find out.
When we signed this guy, I knew that if he didn’t hit the ground running, the media would be all over him. That was predictable. If he didn’t immediately look like the best player in the country, they’d start questioning the transfer fee and the signing strategy.
Forget the fact he’s been scouted extensively. Forget the fact he’s a Belgian international, played in the Bundesliga, and is still only 22. The doubters were always going to throw their nonsense at him.
I also knew it wouldn’t matter that he’s new to the country, learning to play with new teammates, and adapting to a different style of football. It wouldn’t matter that he hasn’t been terrible—in fact, he’s been quite effective. He’s scored goals, provided assists, delivered quality dead balls, and shown excellent passing range. But because he didn’t look like a superstar immediately, people were always going to talk rubbish.
What I didn’t expect was that so much of the criticism would come from Celtic fans. From our own people—guys in the stands, on forums and on social media. Even some bloggers have joined the chorus. I didn’t think he’d have to deal with so much being thrown at him by his own support.
We’ve got people questioning the fee, wondering if he’s worth it, and even suggesting he should be dropped. It’s as if we’ve learned nothing about patience and giving players time to settle. Some people were writing off Austin Trusty after two games, and now they’re doing the same to Engels.
Everyone needs to calm down and let this boy get properly settled. He wouldn’t be where he is in his career if he wasn’t a quality footballer. Sure, he’s the club-record signing, and expectations were always going to be high.
But Adam Idah is getting the same questions. If Engels wasn’t the record signing, Idah would be—and he’s already scoring goals and showing he’s a big-game player. Yet the negativity around him is also unbelievable.
We’re watching one of the best Celtic sides in years. A team so good that after a Champions League game midweek, we were gutted not to take three points against tough opposition. And yet, some people can’t see the woods for the trees.
If it’s not Idah, it’s Engels. If it’s not Engels, it’s someone else. When did it become so easy for the media to turn our fans against our own players? Why does it work so well now, in the age of social media and analytics?
The data is there for anyone willing to look: Engels is not a failure. Far from it. No one watching him weekly is thinking what the Ibrox fans are surely thinking about Diomande: that he’s a colossal waste of money. Engels is contributing to the best midfield in the country.
Right now, he’s playing an unglamorous role, shuttling between Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate. It’s not easy, but he’s doing fine. He’s settling, learning, and getting up to speed. It won’t be long before we see a very different player than the one we’re watching now.
You’d think people would learn. Nearly every player in this squad has faced criticism at some point. But if you look to the right side of the pitch, you’ll see what happens when someone is given time to grow into their role. Nicolas Kühn is proof that patience pays off.
Arne Engels will get that time. We have an elite-level manager who personally picked him, paid a big fee to bring him in, and believes in his potential. Rodgers knows way more than the guys in the stands. He’s changing Engels’ game while keeping him in the team—a hugely difficult task, but one Rodgers clearly thinks is worth the effort.
So, let’s see what the manager comes up with. This is his special project, and I’m going to enjoy watching it take shape. Even the loudest critics will eventually see what Rodgers saw all along.
Yeah there has been a lot of criticism surrounding the young fella, and even if we vehemently disagree with a lot of the nonsense, I suppose everyone is entitled to an opinion.
Personally, I thought we were poor on Wednesday and a tad fortunate to get a draw, however, going forward, it could be an invaluable point.
Like the vast majority of our fanbase I’ve been absolutely delighted with the progress and evolution of our team this season, and I have previously said that I fully believed, BR would get our squad spot on, despite the obstacles we faced last season.
He knows that his players, especially new signings, are still learning his system and what his demands are, every single day in training, and in match situations.
Again, and only my humble opinion, I didn’t think Hatate or Engels were particularly effective on Wednesday, but that could be applied to most of the starting eleven in the first half.
I would like to see Bernardo, McCowan & Valle start more matches over the coming weeks, but again BR knows best and realises better than anyone, the benefits of rotating and negotiating a strong squad through a heavy fixture schedule.
Some of our fanbase have a ridiculous sense of entitlement and like to moan at every misplaced pass or mistake.
Engels, Idah, Bernardo, & Trusty are some of our new signings and all are fantastically talented.
They are part of one of our strongest squads for many years and despite some blips in form, they will all continue to blossom and evolve under BR’s tutelage and being in the presence of perennial winners.
Enjoy these times…they are special and will only get better! HH
Couldn’t agree more, some people have no patience whatsoever and they should catch a fkn grip. YNWA
If a player is not playing well then criticism from the fans should be expected and deserved. If he has not been playing well for a number of games, then the manager should drop him and replace him with someone who deserves to show what they are made of. There is nothing sinister in that and the fans are not picking on him due to his high price tag, it is due to his bad form and it’s negative impact on the side. So everyone get real, it is a normal reaction and the only one who can prevent that criticism is the player himself. Forget the age excuse and let him start producing the goods on a regular basis, that is all we the fans want.
Totally agree Johnny, If a player is not performing drop him and give others a chance.
My fear is that Brendan will not want to do that as he was a high priced purchase.
Engels is a player, no question. Is he still settling into role – yes of course he is (but that doesn’t happen on FIFA2024 where players are swapped in and out at the click of a button…maybe some of our fanbase need to spend more time in the real world).
I do worry/wonder how we keep Bernardo happy. I think he is a terrific player and would like to see more of him.
Some say Hatate can be careless with his passes – I prefer to say that he tries to break the lines and find the narrow gaps – there is risk and reward there.
We also have one midfielder who isn’t getting any younger and didn’t have a great game on Wednesday – I’d be tempted to play Engels as the “6” tomorrow and rest 42.
But in Brendan I trust !
Managers have their favourites, it is a human foible and some players benefit from that. Arne will be on high wages, but justifying those wages or his high price tag should not entitle him to be an automatic choice. In fact as a high earner he should be proving his worth by playing well on a continuous basis. If he is not doing that then, same as any other player, he should be rested, there should be no favours afforded him. We have what I think is a well balanced and happy squad, but they will only remain that way provided they are all treated equally. I also think Valle should be getting more game time in preference to the bang average player who is somehow preferred to him.
I’m sure the young lad will do very well and must be given time to settle and adapt. My only slight gripe is that he seems to be a stick on pick every game even when not playing great. This doesn’t seem fair, and must be annoying for the likes of Bernardo. It’s as if, due to his price tag, he has to play