Arne Engels: This feels like home | OneFootball

It’s been a pretty frenzied fortnight or so for new Bhoy, Arne Engels as today (Tuesday), he took part in only his second training session with the new team-mates at Lennoxtown despite signing on transfer deadline day.

His first training bout with the Celts was just before making his debut in Celtic’s 3-0 derby win, and then he was off on his travels after being called up to the Belgium national side.

So just days after debuting for Celtic against Rangers, just a few days later he also debuted for the Belgians in their 3-1 Nations League win over Israel.

The 21-year-old said: “It was really hectic actually. I was here I think one training day and said hello to everybody. I was nice to see everybody and get to meet everybody.

“So that was nice and then obviously the game against Rangers was amazing also for me to see the fans, and to see the team playing really well.

“So it was really good and today is actually only my second training day and it all went really well actually.”

He said of the derby win: “You hear a lot and you know that it’s a big, big game against Rangers, and that everybody is looking forward to it.

“So you know that it’s going to be really hard, but I think the team did amazing and managed to win 3-0 so it was a perfect day actually for us.

“I’ve played in a lot of big stadiums in Germany but here it’s a bit different, it’s really loud and everybody is really on top of the game.

“They are supporting and pushing us, so it was really helpful for the team. They were pushing us to the limits and that’s really good.”

And games like that are just one of the reasons why Engels came to Celtic from the German Bundesliga.

The midfielder added: “It’s a really big club and I think it’s the biggest club in Scotland. They play every time for the championship, and for the league cups, so I think it’s obvious that it’s a step forward for me.

“And also with the new format of the Champions League, it can be really amazing and special for us.

“It’s obviously a bonus if you see the new format and you play more Champions League games, but that’s not the biggest bonus, it’s a really big club and also a step forward for me to play for the league and to win games under pressure.”

And the Belgian Bhoy is also looking forward to more training sessions and more games with manager, Brendan Rodgers at the helm after the Irishman contacted him prior to the move to the Hoops.

Engels said: “He explained to me how he works, how the training facilities are, how the fans are. He explained everything to me and that was a really nice conversation with him.

“But it’s up to me also just to perform and show that I have qualities enough to help the team, and that’s the most important thing.

“I’ll hopefully have a lot of good moments with the fans and with the team. It’s just a good step for me and I’m happy to be here.”

Fixtures

Celtic Vs. Heart of Midlothian - Sat, Sep 14th 2024, 15:00