Let Arne be and watch Engels flourish in his second season at Celtic

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The Celtic Star

·28 July 2025

Let Arne be and watch Engels flourish in his second season at Celtic

Arne Engels became our record signing when he signed from Augsburg in an £11 million deal last summer, and it’s fair and reasonable to point out that he’s still to reach his full potential in a Celtic jersey…

Franck Kessie of Al-Ahli SFC competes for the ball with Arne Engels of Celtic FC during the Como Cup match between Al-Ahli and Celtic FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Belgium international has become something of a whipping boy in the eyes of the over critical element of our support, and that seems to be Intensifying as Engels continues to be the subject of criticism during pre-season.

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To Arne’s credit he done a decent job in his first season scoring 10 goals and registering 13 assists, a feat which is quite decent considering it was his first full campaign adapting to a new style of football in a different country with the added pressure of his huge price tag at such a young age.

Arne Engels of Celtic celebrates at full time during the SPL | Premier League match between Dundee United FC and Celtic FC at Tannadice Park on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

That hasn’t cut any slack with his critics however who firmly believe he should be doing much more to justify that huge transfer fee. Let’s deal with the price tag first, neither Arne Engels nor Adam Idah (who scored 20 goals last season) set the price for their transfers to Celtic – had both been £3m signings then the level of criticism would have been nowhere near the level both signings have seen.

Engels hasn’t exactly fulfilled his potential

The critics within our support may have a point in that Engels hasn’t exactly fulfilled his potential, but he’s hardly been a flop either.The new season is a big one for Arne Engels and Adam Idah too. Both player need our full support, not be subjected to this regular ongoing criticism.

St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup Semi-Final at Hampden Park on 20 April 2025: Arne Engels Celtic. Photo Alex Todd IMAGO

With a full campaign behind him Arne Engels will be more acquainted with his surroundings, and will be eager to show his true promise. I firmly believe he will excel in the new campaign, but he needs the critics to put down the pitchforks, it’s unfair and unjustified. Let him be and watch him flourish. Same goes with Big Idah too.

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Read this – The backstory to Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter

Thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered the late David Potter’s last ever Celtic book, Celtic in the Eighties, which will be published on the fifth day of September by Celtic Star Books. The link to pre-order your copy is below…

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out 5 September 2025. Available to pre-order now.

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