Brendan Rodgers discussed his decision to drop Arne Engels from the team over the last month.
With Engels dropping out of the starting 11 for Paulo Bernardo for a number of key games, including the Premier Sports Cup final, Rodgers revealed how this affected the Belgian midfielder off the pitch.
He said: (The Celtic Way), “I just think it’s about time with him. He’s really enjoying his time here. I’ve taken him out for some games just to let him see from the outside looking in and take that pressure away from him because it’s a big move and everything that comes with it.
“But he’s been excellent in training and he’s only going to get better and better. When he’s asked to step up in pressure moments, he delivers and that was an important first penalty for us. His ball in for the corner was absolutely great as well. So I’m really pleased with Arne.”
Engels has fought back from looking like a player who was off the boil to being back in the starting 11, scoring goals in pressure moments from the penalty spot, like this afternoon against Motherwell at Celtic Park.
For all the criticism he received, the Belgian midfielder has shown that he has the mentality to succeed at Celtic.
Having joined in the summer from Augsburg for a club-record transfer fee, he does not feel that pressure every time he steps up to take a penalty or corner; he consistently thrives in pressure moments.
