Latest news with #Engels
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arne Engels in powerful Celtic response to direct question about the future of dazzling Daizen Maeda
Arne Engels is hoping Celtic can keep Daizen Maeda under lock and key until the transfer window slams shut. The Hoops have kicked off contract extension talks with the speed merchant who is being tracked by Brentford and several other clubs in England and across the continent. Maeda was at his blistering best in Saturday's 4-0 demolition job on EPL Newcastle United as Brendan Rodgers' men went up the pre-season gears. The Parkhead boss snapped up rapid hitman Shin Yamada at the weekend but is looking to add more firepower in the coming weeks. Engels admitted keeping hold of player-of-the-year Maeda would be huge. READ MORE: Michel Ange Balikwisha to Celtic is now 'possible' as next transfer on the brink with two mega exits vetoed READ MORE: Be Afraid Rangers, Be Very Afraid as arrogant English sent Celtic wake up call after £20m dig on the Hotline When asked if Celtic can lock him up until September 1, the Belgian said: Hopefully! He's an amazing player and also really good for us and in the dressing room too. "He's a lovely guy, so hopefully he will stay. We never know what is going on. 'He would be fantastic for us next year and like Saturday also. He's just an amazing person that is really helping us in every kind of aspect of the game.' Celts are chasing two new wide men and a striker for starters, while winger Marco Tilio is set for a loan more to Rapid Vienna - ahead of a £1.3m permanent switch next summer. Engels insisted the Hoops are already in strong shape – even before more recruits check in. He said: "We have a really good squad. And there will be always rumours about players coming in, going. It's up to us to keep this all inside and to work on the players that are here. You see that on Saturday also, that we have a lot of quality already. "We'll see what's going in and going out, we never know, but the squad that is now here is fantastic. All the boys are doing really well. "It's always nice to get a lot of quality players in and it's up to us then to show ourselves to the manager and to everybody else in the stadium and outside. "But it's always going to be competition everywhere where you go, so it's then just keeping doing the right things that you always do good. There will be always competition.' Engels enjoyed an impressive first season at Celtic despite arriving with a hefty £11m price tag. The Belgian cap was linked with a quick-fire move toSerie A Atalanta but the midfield powerhouse has shrugged off departure speculation and insisted his sights are set on a blockbuster second term. Engels said: "I'm trying to do my best here and to get ready for the new season. There will always be rumours and it's up to me to just show on the field what I'm up to. "I'm here at Celtic and I really want to do great for this club and to reach a lot of things, so I'm not really thinking about something else.' Celtic will head to Italy in the ext 48 hours to compete in the Como Cup, where they'll square up with Ajax on Thursday and then the winner of Como's clash with Al-Ahili at the weekend. Club chiefs will be working in the background at brining in new faces and while the manager has been pleased with the progress, he insisted the Hoops are just getting warmed up. Rodgers said: 'It's been building for us, but there is more to come. There's more to come in as well. But you can see the progression with this group at the moment. Preparation will be about continuing our fitness levels and tactical ideas. We want to get some more players to come in and support the guys here so we will be ready for a long, and hopefully exciting, season.'
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Arne Engels hungry to dish out Celtic Champions League pain after putting the boot into Newcastle
The Belgian playmaker reckons the weekend friendly win has whetted the appetite to make it back to the group stages Arne Engels enjoyed stuffing Newcastle United into the Parkhead hurt locker at the weekend. And it's given the Belgian a taste for inflicting more pain in the Champions League. The Hoops are still a work in progress in pre-season but the confidence levels are soaring after a couple of sparkling displays against Sporting and the Magpies. Eddie Howe 's Newcastle brought 10,000 fans north of the border on Saturday who expected to see their Champions League bound Premier League powerhouses give the Scots a sore one. Instead they were sent homeward to think again by a lethal performance from Brendan Rodgers ' men. Seeing off top qualify opposition has only whetted the appetite for Engels – and he's determined to make sure Celtic get to the big time when the do-or-die qualifying play-off comes around next month. The midfielder – who notched from the spot against the Geordies – said: 'Yes, 100 percent. That's a big goal of ours, to reach the Champions League. In a few weeks, there are really big games coming up. 'It's up to us to now get physically really ready for that, and I'm sure we will do really great in those two games. 'It's a bit like we are waiting until the game is there and then hopefully everybody's ready then. 'We just want to first get into the Champions League and then we will see how it goes there. 'But we set a really big standard for ourselves in the Champions League and that's also something that we can reach because we have a really good squad. 'But it's not that easy that everybody is saying you need to reach the same thing or you need to reach further because we did really great. But it's up to us to show like Saturday that we are a really good squad and that we can cause a lot of teams real pain. But we'll see how it goes.' It was a pain game for Newcastle on Saturday. In fairness, Howe's side are a week behind the Hoops in terms of fitness and were given the runaround by the end. Celts weathered some early pressure then turned the screws, with Daizen Maeda torturing the visitors while the likes of Auston Trusty marshalled the backline. Engels started the rout after winning and converting from the spot, Johnny Kenny pounced on a mistake from keeper Nick Pope to make it two and then in the second half livewire Yang buried from close range before returning hero Kieran Tierney teed up Liam Scales. It was the perfect preparation and Engels said: "It was a really good game. 'We had good positions in possession, and we really played well. 'It was a really good game and also physically we feel really good. In the pressing, we did amazing. 'Overall, it was a really good game for us and also really good to get a 4-0. 'It's always nice to see that on the scoreboard. 'It's good for the confidence. It's a preseason game, so you never know how it would be, but it's always good to get good results against good opponents. 'It's up to us to now keep this going and then we go now to Como and then we see how it goes there. But it's up to us to just maintain the standards that we have set for each other, and it's only going to get better and better.' Newcastle are a big lump of a side but Engels reckons the bigger the better for Celts. He said: "We have a lot of football qualities that we can play really good football and sometimes that suits us better than if the opponent is a bit bigger. 'It's also the same as in the league competition; a lot of opponents have a lot of big guys in the back. 'But it's then up to us to just go through it and really play well and try to play football on the ground, because in the air maybe you will not win it. 'But then you see with the goal that Kasper had the assist, we can play also in the air, so we can mix it up and that makes our squad really good.' Engels has been lethal from 12 yards for Celts with eight out of nine slotted last season to leave no arguments over who is the main man from the spot. He said: "No, not really. It is always clear who is going to take them, so there's not really a debate about that. "I was a bit angry that he touched my leg and that I got a penalty! But in the end the most important thing is to score. It doesn't matter if it's from the spot or somewhere else. 'I always want to be in that position and I always want to do my best for the team, if it's scoring goals or assisting. It's always nice to grab a goal and it will come.' Celtic still need new signings but Engels has been bowled over by the initial new arrivals, including Hayato Inamura, who again caught the eye at the weekend. He said: 'You could see he's really adapting really well and he's also good in the group. He's a guy that is really wanting to learn and wanting to try his best, and you see today that he has a lot of quality. 'I'm really happy for him that he can show that also now in Celtic Park to everybody what he's up to, and I think we will see a lot of him. "Everybody that came in is really impressing us. Everybody is still settling in, doing well, and adapting to the system and to the style of play.'
Glasgow Times
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Arne Engels in Celtic reminded as Rodgers eyes up transfers
Coasting to a 4-0 victory over Premier League opposition, regardless of what stage of pre-season it comes, is an indication of a squad brimming with ability and confidence in equal measure. Last season's record-breaking £11million signing Arne Engels recognises recruitment is a normal part of football but insists he and his teammates have shown how good they are already before any further additions. Usually doing their business late in a window, the Scottish champions have already added six to date. Kieran Tierney and Hayato Inamura bolster the backline while Benjamin Nygren, Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand provide options middle to front. Ross Doohan returns to the club as a third-choice goalkeeper. With Tierney and Nygren the two likely to improve the starting XI immediately, Rodgers wants more. But Engels points out the manager already has a very strong squad at his disposal. "We have a really good squad," the Belgian midfielder insisted. "And there will be always rumours about players coming in, going. It's up to us to keep this all inside and to work on the players that are here. You see that today also, that we have a lot of quality already. 'We'll see what's going in and going out, we never know, but the squad that is now here is fantastic. All the boys are doing really well. Read more: "Everybody that came in is really impressing us. Everybody is still settling in. 'Also, you see today everybody is doing well, is adapting to the system and to the style of play and to also the fitness that we ask from each other. 'I'm really happy with all the guys, not only those two that are coming in and showing themselves in training also. It's been a really good signing." The 21-year-old was an investment for the club when he came in from Augsburg last summer and is already being linked with moves away. Clubs in Italy are thought to be taking a look but he is taking no heed. His focus remains purely on the task at hand - aiming to win trophies and perform in the Champions League. "I'm trying to do my best here and to get ready for the new season," he said. 'There will always be rumours and it's up to me to just show on the field what I'm up to. 'I'm here at Celtic and I really want to do great for this club and to reach a lot of things, so I'm not really thinking about something else." Nygren, while he can also operate wide, comes in to add to a midfield already packed with experience and class - Callum McGregor, Paulo Bernardo, Reo Hatate, Luke McCowan and Engels fighting for the three spots. Therefore, even if the latter does stay put he will be far from guaranteed first team football unless he is at the very top of his game. Read more: Like recruitment, that is normal at a club the size of Celtic and another element of life at the club that is water off a duck's back to him. He said: "It's always nice to get a lot of quality players in and it's up to us then to show ourselves to the manager and to everybody else in the stadium and outside. 'But it's always going to be competition everywhere where you go, so it's then just keeping doing the right things that you always do good. There will be always competition." One player Engels would be happy to go to great lengths to see sticking around is Daizen Maeda. The Japanese forward scooped player of the year awards and topped Celtic's scoring charts. The talented midfielder wouldn't be opposed to locking his teammate in a basement until September 1st. "Hopefully," he says when that tongue-in-cheek suggestion is put to him. "He's an amazing player and also really good for us and in the dressing room too. 'He's a lovely guy, so hopefully he will stay. We never know what is going on. He would be fantastic for us next year and like today also. 'He's just an amazing person that is really helping us in every kind of aspect of the game." A motivation of Engels' when quitting the Bundesliga for Scotland a year ago would have playing in the Champions League. A run to the knockout stages and then a ding-dong battle with Bayern Munich will have whetted the appetite. But so did the win over a Champions League-level side in Newcastle. "One hundred percent," he admits. "That's a big goal of ours, to reach the Champions League. In a few weeks, there is a really big game, big games coming up. 'It's up to us to now get physically really ready for that, and I'm sure we will do really great in those two games. "We just want to first get into the Champions League and then we will see how it goes there. 'But we set a really big standard for ourselves in the Champions League and that's also something that we can reach because we have a really good squad. 'It's not that easy that everybody is saying you need to reach the same thing or you need to reach further because we did really great. But it's up to us to show like today that we are a really good squad and that we can cause a lot of teams real pain."
Glasgow Times
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Celtic star sends transfer message to Brendan Rodgers
The thumping victory against Premier League opposition, despite being pre-season, showed the quality and confidence within the team. The 21-year-old Belgian midfielder, who was a record-breaking £11million signing last season, acknowledged the importance of recruitment but insisted that the current squad has already proven its worth. He said: "We have a really good squad. "There will be always rumours about players coming in, going. "It's up to us to keep this all inside and to work on the players that are here. "We'll see what's going in and going out, we never know, but the squad that is now here is fantastic." Despite usually conducting their transfer business late in the window, Celtic have already made six additions to the squad. Kieran Tierney and Hayato Inamura have strengthened the backline, while Benjamin Nygren, Shin Yamada, and Callum Osmand provide options in midfield and attack. Read more: Ross Doohan has also returned to the club as a third-choice goalkeeper. Engels praised the new additions, saying: "Everybody that came in is really impressing us. "Everybody is still settling in. "Also, you see today everybody is doing well, is adapting to the system and to the style of play and to also the fitness that we ask from each other." Engels has been linked with moves away from the club, with Italian clubs reportedly interested. However, he remains focused on his current role at Celtic. He said: "I'm here at Celtic and I really want to do great for this club and to reach a lot of things, so I'm not really thinking about something else." With the new additions, competition for first-team spots will be fierce. Engels is undeterred by this, acknowledging that competition is part of life at a club like Celtic. He said: "It's always nice to get a lot of quality players in and it's up to us then to show ourselves to the manager and to everybody else in the stadium and outside." Read more: One player Engels is particularly keen to see remain at the club is Daizen Maeda, who topped [[Celtic]]'s scoring charts last season. Engels said: "He's an amazing player and also really good for us and in the dressing room too. "He would be fantastic for us next year and like today also." Having quit the Bundesliga for Scotland a year ago, one of Engels' motivations was playing in the Champions League. The team's win over Newcastle United, a Champions League-level side, has whetted his appetite for the upcoming season. He said: "That's a big goal of ours, to reach the Champions League. "We set a really big standard for ourselves in the Champions League and that's also something that we can reach because we have a really good squad."
Daily Record
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Arne Engels in powerful Celtic response to direct question about the future of dazzling Daizen Maeda
The Hoops have kicked off contract extension talks with the speed merchant who is being tracked by Brentford Arne Engels is hoping Celtic can keep Daizen Maeda under lock and key until the transfer window slams shut. The Hoops have kicked off contract extension talks with the speed merchant who is being tracked by Brentford and several other clubs in England and across the continent. Maeda was at his blistering best in Saturday's 4-0 demolition job on EPL Newcastle United as Brendan Rodgers' men went up the pre-season gears. The Parkhead boss snapped up rapid hitman Shin Yamada at the weekend but is looking to add more firepower in the coming weeks. Engels admitted keeping hold of player-of-the-year Maeda would be huge. When asked if Celtic can lock him up until September 1, the Belgian said: Hopefully! He's an amazing player and also really good for us and in the dressing room too. "He's a lovely guy, so hopefully he will stay. We never know what is going on. 'He would be fantastic for us next year and like Saturday also. He's just an amazing person that is really helping us in every kind of aspect of the game.' Celts are chasing two new wide men and a striker for starters, while winger Marco Tilio is set for a loan more to Rapid Vienna - ahead of a £1.3m permanent switch next summer. Engels insisted the Hoops are already in strong shape – even before more recruits check in. He said: "We have a really good squad. And there will be always rumours about players coming in, going. It's up to us to keep this all inside and to work on the players that are here. You see that on Saturday also, that we have a lot of quality already. "We'll see what's going in and going out, we never know, but the squad that is now here is fantastic. All the boys are doing really well. "It's always nice to get a lot of quality players in and it's up to us then to show ourselves to the manager and to everybody else in the stadium and outside. "But it's always going to be competition everywhere where you go, so it's then just keeping doing the right things that you always do good. There will be always competition.' Engels enjoyed an impressive first season at Celtic despite arriving with a hefty £11m price tag. The Belgian cap was linked with a quick-fire move toSerie A Atalanta but the midfield powerhouse has shrugged off departure speculation and insisted his sights are set on a blockbuster second term. Engels said: "I'm trying to do my best here and to get ready for the new season. There will always be rumours and it's up to me to just show on the field what I'm up to. "I'm here at Celtic and I really want to do great for this club and to reach a lot of things, so I'm not really thinking about something else.' Celtic will head to Italy in the ext 48 hours to compete in the Como Cup, where they'll square up with Ajax on Thursday and then the winner of Como's clash with Al-Ahili at the weekend. Club chiefs will be working in the background at brining in new faces and while the manager has been pleased with the progress, he insisted the Hoops are just getting warmed up. Rodgers said: 'It's been building for us, but there is more to come. There's more to come in as well. But you can see the progression with this group at the moment. Preparation will be about continuing our fitness levels and tactical ideas. We want to get some more players to come in and support the guys here so we will be ready for a long, and hopefully exciting, season.'
