“I’m always trying to be there and always trying to get a goal,” Arne Engels | OneFootball

Arne Engels got his first two goals of the season recently, scoring in the wins against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park and Hibs at Easter Road after benefiting from the arrival of Celtic’s interim management team lead by Martin O’Neill ably assisted by Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham…

“I can only say that they have done a really amazing job. I can only say positive words about them, what they have done,” the Belgian international midfielder said when reflecting on some very special weeks working with the legendary Celt while Celtic were between permanent bosses after Brendan Rodgers’ sudden departure and he arrival of Wilfried Nancy from MLS side Columbus Crew.

Engels found himself on the bench earlier in the season

At the start of the season Brendan Rodgers was keen to play new signing Benjamin Nygren alongside Reo Hatate and club captain Callum McGregor, so the Belgian had to be content with a seat on the bench despite being the club’s record signing. That £11m price tag – which had nothing whatsoever to do with the player – is often the stick used to beat him by the Celtic trolls on social media.

Finding the back of the net is one way to silence the critics but rather than focus on that Engels is happier praising the Celtic coaches who have been working with him including Mark Fotheringham (who has now left the club) and Gavin Strachan who Engels has been working with for a considerable time looking at improving his goal scoring and assists stats.

Engels always trying to ‘get a goal from somewhere’

“Yeah, I’m always trying to be there and always trying to get a goal from somewhere,” Engels said, as reported by Celtic’s favoured media outlet Daily Record. “They were talking a lot of weeks now for arriving in the box and being there and you will get a goal. Gav is also telling me already from last year that I just need to keep on doing it because I’m coming there, but sometimes the ball is not arriving,” Engels said.

Arne Engels scores Sunday 30 November 2025. Hibs v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“You need to have a little bit of luck also to get into the right position and to get a goal. You’re always trying to arrive in the box to hopefully get a goal there because it’s also important for the team just to get some goals in, but also for myself to be a box-to-box midfielder, to arrive then in the box and to get then a header or just a kick on goal.

“It’s always nice to get a goal from that. Yeah, it’s a little reward for my patience,” Arne Engels said.

Martin O’Neill restored Engels to the starting XI during his perfect record in domestic football which got Celtic right back into the title race. Add to that the outstanding 3-1 win in Rotterdam in the Europa League against Feyenoord.

Arne Engels. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Wilfried Nancy also kept Engels in the team and there’s now more spaces available in the middle of the park with the Frenchman preferring a 3-4-3 formation. It was a rather unfortunate start for Nancy to his reign as Celtic manager – with Engels sliding off the park on the wet surface as he tried to block a Hearts cross, then returning to the pitch to effectively play Hearts onside for the opening goal after Celtic had dominated possession and missed some big chances.

Roma celebrations at Ibrox. theRangers v Roma. Europa League, 6 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Next up is Roma in the Europa League under the lights at a packed Paradise where the Celtic support will be there to back the team and hopefully roar the Bhoys on to what would be a vital three points.

THE IDEAL CELTIC CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR CELTIC DADS

Order your copy of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, which will be personally signed by Danny McGrain! Plus we’ll send you a FREE copy of Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style – Click on image to order!