Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has called on supporters to be patient with new signing Arne Engels, who joined the club amid high expectations. The pressure of wearing the iconic Celtic jersey is not to be taken lightly, especially with a price tag of £11million, a sum which naturally intensifies the gaze of fans keen for results.
In the early stages of his tenure at Celtic, Engels encountered challenges on the pitch, struggling in midfield during a lackluster outing at Tynecastle, followed by a disappointing performance against his former club, Club Brugge, in the League champions. These early hangs have led some fans to wonder if the young Belgian is worth such an investment and if he really deserves a place in the starting XI.
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However, manager Brendan Rodgers admits the adaptation period for Engels has not been easy, but he remains confident the midfielder will eventually come into his own. Rodgers cited the development journeys of players like Paulo Bernardo and Nicolas Kuhn, who both encountered skepticism early in their Celtic careers before becoming fan favorites.
“As far as fans needing to be patient with Engels, absolutely,” Rodgers said. “I remember Paulo’s performances not so long ago; now he gets a warm welcome every time he steps on the field. This is what development looks like: it takes patience and time.
Rodgers praised Engels as a talented individual, pointing out that the young player was brought to Celtic to improve his skills. “He doesn’t control the transfer amount, but we see his potential. I have every confidence that he will improve here,” he continued. He also urged fans not to rush to conclusions about players — “some adapt quickly while others take more time, especially younger players. »
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A notable asset for Engels is his composure under pressure, which Rodgers believes will help him get through the early clashes of his Celtic adventure. “With the heavy focus on you here, there will be criticism — some rightfully so, some not. In the end, it’s about taking your opportunity when it presents itself, and I have no doubt that Engels will show his abilities on the pitch,” said the coach.
Rodgers also expressed his delight at the progress of full-back Alistair Johnston, who recently received recognition on the FIFA Men’s Best XI longlist, standing alongside footballing legends like Ruben Dias and Antonio Rudiger. “This is great news for him! This reflects the consistency he has shown both internationally and domestically,” he noted. “Recognition like this is indicative of his development as a footballer.
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Another player solidifying himself in the XI is Cameron Carter-Vickers, whose recent mistake against Club Brugge shocked many given his history of reliability. Nonetheless, Rodgers believes Carter-Vickers will respond as he always does.
“It’s just one of those things,” Rodgers said, downplaying the mistake. “Cameron was exceptional for us and his reaction during the match was commendable. It’s sport; we learn, we adapt and we move forward. »
As Celtic move forward, the focus will remain on players like Engels, who possess the potential to become key parts of the team, provided they are given the time they need to flourish.
