Celtic’s newest recruit, Arne Engels, had a weekend to remember as he made his debut in the highly anticipated Glasgow Derby…
The 20-year-old midfielder, brought in for a record transfer fee from Bundesliga side Augsburg, was thrown into the action as Celtic secured a commanding 3-0 victory over theRangers at Parkhead.
Engels, who started on the bench, was introduced in the second half to experience his first taste of Scottish football. The occasion did not disappoint, as Celtic fans celebrated in style following goals from Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Callum McGregor.
A Dream Debut for Engels
As the final whistle blew, a full house of Celtic supporters erupted into celebration, filling the air with music and cheers. Engels, clearly soaking up the atmosphere, was captured on Celtic TV dancing alongside teammate Alistair Johnston during the post-match lap of honour. When asked about his first experience at Parkhead, the young Belgian couldn’t contain his excitement, simply shouting, “AMAZING.”
Engels’ fellow new signings, Auston Trusty and Alex Valle, were also included in the matchday squad, although neither made it onto the pitch. Another newcomer, Luke McCowan, was introduced late in the game, also marking his derby debut.
Rodgers Delighted with Defensive Display
As reported by the Daily Record, speaking after the game, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers praised his team’s defensive solidity and attacking prowess. “We’ve seen from pre-season that mentality to defend,” Rodgers said. “And if the team does break through, then you’ve got Kasper, who’s a world-class goalkeeper, to make the save. Keeping the clean sheet was important to us. That takes hunger and mentality.”
Rodgers also highlighted his team’s electric performance going forward, noting that they could have been even more convincing with their finishing. “I thought we were electric going forward today at times, and we had good opportunities to be even more convincing. But I’m so pleased to get to this period. We can now analyse, reset, and come back really excited for the next game against Hearts.”
Celtic’s Winning Start Sets the Tone
The 3-0 victory over theRangers not only marked a perfect start for Arne Engels but also solidified Celtic’s strong position in the Scottish Premiership. With new signings beginning to integrate into the squad and a dominant display against their fiercest rivals, the Bhoys look poised for another successful campaign.
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