Arne Engels has featured regularly for Celtic since joining them from FC Augsburg in the summer window. He made 14 appearances in all competitions for Brendan Rodgers’ side, managing three goals and six assists in the process.
The midfielder’s decision to join Celtic has paid off as he made his debut for Belgium in September. He received another call up last month and again for this international break.
On Thursday, the Celtic player made his first start for De Rode Duivels in their 1-0 defeat to Italy. After the tie, the 21-year-old was honest in admitting Belgium’s performance against the Azzurri in the first half didn’t go as per the plan. His comments are relayed by Het Laatste Nieuws.
“The first half did not go as well as we would have liked,” he said.
“The plan was to pin Italy high if we could. But also, to play compact football so as not to give them any space. We have not been sufficiently successful in this. We lost the ball a little too easily, so there was actually no structure anymore.”
“But the reaction after half-time was worth seeing. There we showed that we can still be dangerous. If we have to learn one lesson for the future from this match, it is that we should be less afraid and rely on our own strengths from the start. Now we were a little too in awe of them,” he added.
HLN suggests a large section of the football fans [likely in Belgium] aren’t familiar with the player.
Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco has used Engels as an example to issue a warning to youngsters they’ll not be given “endless opportunities.” The Belgian says he deserves to be part of the national team, taking his performances for Celtic into account.
“These people will soon see me working in the Champions League with Celtic against Club Brugge. At Celtic, I have shown that I deserve this opportunity, it is up to me to continue to develop,” he concluded.
