The record signing has greatly pleased the Hoops team following his spectacular performance in the victory over Slovan Bratislav.
A Champions League frenzy erupted at Celtic Park when the Hoops crushed Slovan Bratislava.
However, the star, Arne Engels, appeared to be on a Sunday stroll because he was so relaxed.
Liam Scales understands why fans are so excited about the playmaker from Belgium.
even though the 21-year-old is simply taking it all in stride. On deadline day,
Engels arrived in Glasgow with enormous expectations and a record £11 million transfer price.
Scales believes the midfield player is already worth every penny.
Whether he was playing the middle position, spraying passes,
or charging in to make tackles, Engels never wavered in his poise.
And when he took the penalty kick and slotted it in for the third goal that put Celtic ahead,
there was hardly a drop of perspiration on his brow.
Scales, a star for the Republic of Ireland, asked, “What’s that saying?
He would be horizontal if he were any more relaxed. To be honest, Arne is quite smart.
Entering these huge fixtures and playing the way he is playing requires a great deal of courage.
playing against the Rangers, entering the Champions League match, and performing admirably.
He is really talented. I believe that is evident to all. He is really intelligent.
“I think he deserves that record fee. He’s a top-quality player. He’s just been brilliant.
He’s really getting to know the lads as well. He’s just been top-class all around.
I’m looking forward to playing with him.”
Scales had a stormer in the 5-1 win as well and capped his fine display with a bullet header for the opener
thanks to a lethal delivery from Engels. He said:
“I watched it back and the player a yard in front of me is at full stretch.
in the air, and it’s gone over his head and come down just in time to be right on my head.
I’ve not even really had to jump.
“You can’t really defend against crosses like that if it’s got so much whip and dip on it.
Obviously, we’re at an advantage that we know what area he’s going to play it into and I’m going to make
my run into there. It was perfect. I didn’t have much to do other than just get good contact on it.”
Engels is clearly a baller but he’s not just a pretty player.
The former Augsburg man is built like a Clydesdale and isn’t shy about getting stuck in.
At one point the other night, Bratislava’s bully boys were simply bouncing off him.
Scales said: “He’s well capable of that other side of the game as well. Obviously, he’s technically brilliant.
You can see that, but I think that sort of goes under the radar of how good he is. He’s just a bit of a machine.
There are players bouncing off him, and he’s really getting into tackles.
It’s great to see that. You need your midfielders to do that.”
Engels was just one of many great things that happened that night.
Scales said that the evening in Glasgow’s east end was unique and that his goal was a memorable experience.
The center defender scored for Manchester United against Schalke in the 2011 Champions League semifinal.
making history as the only Irishman to do so since then.
However, Adam Idah scored the goal just over an hour later.
It was just pure delight, he remarked. That’s probably what you saw on my face.
Someone shoved me over as I tried to do a knee slide! It was just utter happiness.
It was such a great feeling, and I was thrilled. Getting the desired outcome is obviously important.
but scoring a goal in the Champions League is something I will always remember.
“I’m happy for Adam as well; it’s fantastic. It was annoying when we traveled to Ireland last week.
So it was incredible to come in here and accomplish it.
I’m as thrilled for him as I am for myself when we both score.
When he did come on, he was incredibly good.
Scales was too. The entire Hoops defense was outstanding.
and the defender won 11 duels on the evening—more than any other Celtic in the Champions League
since Mikael Lustig in the victory over Anderlecht several years prior.
Scales stated: “Defensively, we’ve played really well this year. We haven’t given up in the league, obviously.
We were unfortunate to give up the goal on Wednesday.
“It was an excellent conclusion. I guess that’s what you have to anticipate at this level.
You surround yourself with good players and take chances that you might be able
to get away with domestically. We’re in a solid defensive position,
so all we really need to do is stay focused and strong.
Leave a Reply