Arne Engels: I'm just happy to help the team keep winning | OneFootball

Arne Engels produced another Man of the Match performance to help the Hoops beat Dundee United 2-0 on Wednesday night.

The Belgian midfielder was at the heart of Celtic’s attacking intent throughout the game, whether creating opportunities for his team-mates or testing the visitors’ defence and goalkeeper himself.

And speaking to Celtic TV after the game, the 21-year-old said that the most important thing was the victory for the team.

“It is really busy, and every three days there’s a game but I’m enjoying it,” Engels said, “and with this team it’s amazing to play those games, and you can see we’re working really hard.

“I’m trying my best but the most important thing is the three points. The games are coming so quickly that it’s really important just to keep on doing what we need to do and I’m really happy to help the team with that.”

And there was praise for Engels from his captain, with Callum McGregor impressed with the progress the Belgian internationalist has made since joining Celtic.

“Arne’s been fantastic since he worked through the door,” the Hoops skipper said. “A big price tag, big expectations and he’s handled it so well. He’s so down-to-earth as well and he just wants to work hard and he just keeps getting stronger and stronger.

“It’s a pleasure to play with him and he’s a team player, which is brilliant, and you need that at Celtic as well. So I’m really happy for him. He’s making brilliant strides, he’s a top player and he just keeps going, so it’s excellent.”

McGregor is the voice of experience within the Celtic squad, and the captain knows the demands put on the squad at this time of the year, with a very busy fixture schedule.

So he was delighted with another strong home performance, which included a clean sheet, while also praising Daizen Maeda for scoring his 15th goal of the season, as well as providing the assist for Reo Hatate’s goal late in the game.

““They’re all valuable (three points), especially over this period,” McGregor said.

“There are a lot of games, a lot of hard work going on, so it’s important to keep winning and picking up the goals and clean sheets as well, so it was a satisfying night.

“We probably could have had a couple more but it was a really good work ethic from the team again – all the principles we look for were there.

“These games every three days are made for Daizen. He just loves running, he loves working hard for the team and his quality’s there to see as well, always chipping in with goals and assists.”

Fixtures

Celtic Vs. Dundee United - Wed, Jan 8th 2025, 19:45 Final score: 2 - 0 Match Report