“Arne is a fantastic young player. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have brought him here,” Brendan Rodgers | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers reckons that a year ago it was Paulo Bernardo’s turn then it was Nicolas Kuhn and now it’s Arne Engels…

Arne Engels of Celtic FC and Jashari Ardon of Club Brugge during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and Club Brugge on November 27, 2024. Photo Peter De Voecht

The Celtic manager was responding to criticism of the record breaking summer signing who has been below par in recent weeks for club and country with calls for Paulo Bernardo to be in the team ahead of the 21 year-old Belgium.

Rodgers called for patience and reminded commentators and supporters alike that this is nothing new and we’ve beeb here before many times.

“It’s called time,” Brendan said. “Arne is a fantastic young player. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have brought him here. He doesn’t set the price tag. He’s come here to a big club to improve his game. I’ve got absolutely no doubt he will do that.

Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic appears dejected after scoring Club Brugge KV’s first goal with an own goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I know in life now it is a challenge for any of them but I think the most recent example of that would be Paulo Bernardo. He was exactly the same, if I remember back, highlighting Paulo in his performances this time last year.

“Now, he can’t be cheered on loudly enough when he enters onto the pitch. That’s called development. It’s called patience. Hopefully, I know it won’t be the case, but I would hope that people will learn their lesson. Seeing people that were writing off Paulo and Nicolas Kuhn, and it’ll be Arne Engels, then it’ll be someone else. Then you have to look and see and understand that development takes time.

Paulo Bernardo and Cameron Carter-Vickers at the end of the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024.(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Some will hit the ground running and be fine and adapt, perfect. But not everyone is like that, and especially a young player. So I’ve been really pleased with Arne since he’s come in, because I know the future for him. He will improve, he will develop and get better. And we’ve seen it so many times. I think it’s always the pressure when you come to play up here. I think the scrutiny is on you.

“You’re going to have your critics. Sometimes it’s deserved, sometimes it’s not. But either way, a lot of the time you don’t have the last word, but you do have your chance on the pitch to show what you can do. So I’ve got no doubt about Arne. But like every player, whether they’re young or old, you’re not immune to it. You know what’s been said.

Celtic v Club Brugge – UEFA Champions League Nicolas Kuhn shoots during the match at Celtic Park, on Wednesday 27 November, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

“But, as I said, he only really needs to worry about his teammates and ourselves and his development and coaching. And, as I said, he’s such a young player with a lot of potential and that’s why we brought him here. He’s not the finished article.”

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