Brendan Rodgers believes Arne Engels is walking proof that Celtic have to invest substantial sums of money even to buy players with potential these days.
The Parkhead club have been quiet to date in the summer transfer window with the manager making it clear in recent weeks that there are areas of the team which require strengthening.
Despite the lack of investment, Celtic still cruised into the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup with a 4-1 over Falkirk.
Afterwards, though, Rodgers cited the example of the Belgian international — a record £11million signing from Augsburg last year — as a reason why they club can’t always expect to make first-team players from bargain basement signings.
‘His attitude is great,’ he added after the comprehensive win.
‘He tired a little bit so there was a little bit of looseness towards the last five, 10 minutes. But his quality from his set piece and his general work rate and intensity was great. So, no, he’s a boy that gives everything.
Arne Engels looked back to his best against Falkirk on Friday as he notched an assist
The Belgian hit 10 goals in his first season at Celtic after joining for £11million from Augsburg
Manager Brendan Rodgers believes the 21-year-old’s overall game is only going to get better
‘And there’s a lot on his shoulders as an expensive player. But we bought potential. The club has bought potential many times. And a lot of them aren’t here.
‘This is a guy who has potential, but it costs a little bit more.
‘He’s nowhere near the finished article. We’ve just had to pay more for potential. You can buy potential at a million quid and two million quid.
‘And a lot of the time, it doesn’t work. Sometimes it does. I will tell you a lot of time it doesn’t.
‘But him, we’ve had to pay a little bit more to get the athleticism, to get the physicality that this team needed. And now I’ve got great options in there. Guys that are physical, but guys that are technical. So, I don’t complain.’
Although the deadline for signings players for next week’s Champions League play-off against Kairat Almaty has passed, the Northern Irishman remains hopeful that he might yet be able to add two wildcards ahead of Wednesday’s first leg at Parkhead.
‘Hopefully, it would be great,’ he said. ‘We’ve obviously named a squad, but right up until just before the game, we can do that. So that would be really good if we can.’
Rodgers was delighted with the way his side dismantled the Premiership newcomers with goals from Daizen Maeda, Alistair Johnston, Dane Murray and a Liam Henderson own goal doing the damage before Kennan Adams scored a spectacular consolation.
Defender Dane Murray netted his first senior goal as he celebrated his new contract in style
‘I thought the performance was very, very good from the first whistle,’ he said.
‘You’ve seen the hunger in the team and the intensity in the team. The first half we were good with the ball, but not so good without it.
‘It gave Falkirk a couple of wee opportunities to break through. We weren’t aggressive enough and tight enough. When we correct that at half-time, we really dominated the second half.
‘So, yeah, very, very pleased. The goals were excellent and I thought we played really, really well.’
Rodgers was delighted for defender Murray who netted his fist Celtic goal on the day he signed a new contact until 2028.
‘There’s areas of the game that he needs to, obviously, work on,’ said the manager. ‘But he’s six foot four. He’s quick. He can take the ball.
‘He has a comfort with the ball, which aligns with top players. And he just, again, has to work ion concentration as it’s something that’s key for defenders. But I really, really like him.
‘And that’s hence the reason we’ve tied him down. And I think he’s got a great future.’
