Arne Engels has spoken of his frustration after being left out of Belgium’s World Cup squad, insisting he is determined to force his way back into international contention.
The Celtic midfielder – who became the club’s record signing following his £11million move to Glasgow from Augsburg in 2024 – has earned four senior caps for Belgium, with all of his appearances coming during the 2024 Nations League campaign.
Engels has not featured for the national side since completing the full match in Belgium’s defeat to Israel and had hoped his strong finish to the domestic season would secure him a place in the squad travelling to North America.
Despite the disappointment, the 22-year-old says he remains motivated to regain his spot in the future.
Engels told Sporza: “It’s a shame. You always want to be there to represent your country, especially at a major tournament. It is now up to me to show that I am worthy of being part of it.
“Hopefully, I will get a chance in the future to fight my way back in. I have actually never had contact with him (Garcia). Although I do think that is the custom. That is probably the case with the important players.
“And as I said, it is up to me to prove myself and seize every opportunity with both hands. There are new chances in September. But first, I think the Red Devils are going to have a fantastic tournament.”
Engels also looked back on Celtic’s title-winning campaign, admitting the squad had to overcome significant pressure during the closing weeks of the season.
He added: “It was a tough season for us. Everyone had basically written us off. But we did everything we could to still win the title. That makes it all the more special to be able to do it at home in front of our own fans.
“In the playoffs [post split games], the fans really gave us an extra boost. Thanks to that magical atmosphere, we were able to do something extra. That certainly helped us during the difficult moments.”
The Belgian midfielder also praised manager Martin O’Neill for the influence he had on the squad throughout the campaign.
“He and his staff have provided calm, structure, and a good vibe,” Engels said.
“I can only say positive things about him. I have no words for what he has done for us and the club. He is a very special man.”
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