Brendan Rodgers drops hint on Arne Engels that could be bad news for Celtic’s record signing”

Arne Engels has been one of Celtic’s most discussed players.

Specifically, Engels is Celtic’s club-record transfer, having signed for £11 million from Augsburg in the summer of 2024.

The 22-year-old was a regular under Brendan Rodgers, but he has dropped down the pecking order this season, and pretty much immediately.

When Celtic first kicked the ball this season, Rodgers chose summer addition Benjamin Nygren over Engels. Nonetheless, he altered his starting lineup against Hibernian this weekend and explained why.

Brendan Rodgers explains why Arne Engels is playing behind Benjamin Nygren.

Celtic and Hibernian drew 0-0 at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon, with Engels starting in the centre of the park with captain Callum McGregor and backup Luke McCowan.

When asked about Engels on BBC Radio Scotland, the Celtic manager noted that the midfielder plays a’very significant’ part in the squad, but there aren’t many players who can ‘cement their place in the team.’

Rodgers said that Nygren has been playing ahead of Engels because he believes the Belgian star lacks the same goal threat as the Swedish player.

“Arne’s role in the squad is very, very important,” Rodgers stated. “I don’t believe there are very many players, if any, who will be able to solidify their place on the team.

“But, of course, it’s one where Benji (Nygren) has played ahead of him this season, owing to his goal threat. We lost goals from our team. Lots of goals.

“And Arne hasn’t scored as many goals as, say, Nygren throughout his career. He is a player who influences, generates, and scores goals.

“So, Arne just needs to keep doing what he’s doing and provide the goal threat.” He works hard. He adds other attributes to our squad.”