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Brendan Rodgers fires back at Arne Engels Celtic critics as hefty price tag doesn't mean star is 'finished article'
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has fired back at any untoward criticism at record signing Arne Engels after his short period at Celtic Park - stating that the Belgian is 'nowhere near the finished article' as he continues to develop in Glasgow.
The Hoops arguably picked up their most impressive result in Wednesday's exceptional 0-0 draw at Atalanta, keeping the Italian outfit at bay - but Engels, who cost £11m, appeared to garner criticism for his 75-minute cameo.
For now though, Rodgers can't dwell. Attention turns back to the Scottish Premiership. Squandering a 2-2 draw against Aberdeen would not have been on Rodgers' to do list and with no European game for two weeks, it represents a real chance to edge away from the Dons in the title race and create some breathing space so that they can focus on at least qualifying for the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
But, ahead of the trip to Motherwell, the Hoops boss spoke about any criticism angled towards Engels, who has made a decent enough start to life in Scotland with the Hoops having fared well on all fronts this season - stating that even Callum McGregor struggled at Parkhead initially and that in time, the Belgian will warrant his price tag.
Rodgers said via Clyde 1: "There's critics in the game, and people have an opinion - you have to respect that. For me, we've brought a young player in who is nowhere near the finished article.
"I think sometimes there is a price around him and that might feel that you're buying someone who is the finished article - he's not. He came in here as a 20-year-old player who has got great potential, and it's my job along with the staff to develop that.
"He's coming from playing one game a week, where that's a holiday in my book, to come and play at a big club, with big pressure and big expectations and you will feel it.
"Sometimes, you'll play a lot of games and you come out to recover, so it's all natural. We've had the same with Nicolas Kuhn and Callum McGregor over the many years. It's football, I understand people ant to make a judgement and an opinion, but I'm so happy he's chosen to come here.
"He's shown more thane enough in this short period of time that he is going to be a fantastic player for us'.
