Engels running the show – Arne must start at Tynecastle

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The Celtic Star

·24 Oktober 2025

Engels running the show – Arne must start at Tynecastle

Where are the Arne Engels critics today? Taking a well earned break ahead hammering the 22 year-old, mostly because of the transfer fee that Celtic paid for his in the summer of 2024…

Arne Engels of Celtic is challenged by Emanuel Aiwu of Strum Graz during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Arne Engels is something of a controversial figure among the Celtic support mainly due to the burden of his record breaking £11 million price tag, and whilst it’s fair to say that he hasn’t hit the heights expected, he’s still contributing to the side, which he displayed last night by putting in an impressive display in the 2-1 win over SK Sturm Graz.

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Our midfield as a unit put in an excellent shift, but non more so than Arne who ran the show in the middle of the park and looked every inch an £11 million player. No wonder his critics have taken the day off.

Arne’s quick thinking led to Colby Donovan assisting Liam Scales for all important leveller, and minutes later he whipped in a delicious delivery from a corner kick to allow Benjamin Nygren to head in the winner.

It wasn’t just his goal contributions, the Belgian was a constant outlet on the ball, and his nonstop energy was a key contributor to our success on the night.

Arne has been unfortunately overlooked in recent games, due to Brendan’s determination to utilise Benjamin Nygren in the midfield alongside Reo Hatate with Callum McGregor playing deeper than the two number eights.

Arne Engels of Celtic is challenged by Emanuel Aiwu of Strum Graz during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

But last night with the Swede putting in an eventful shift on the right hand side of the attack, Arne brought a better balance to the Celtic midfield, he added power, athleticism and better delivery from dead balls, his corner found Nygren’s head for the winner.

It’s obvious that this is the system Brendan should stick with going forward, with Arne Engels staying in the starting XI, beginning at Tynecastle on Sunday.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books