Arne Engels has had a very good season at Celtic.
The young Belgian was named Celtic’s Young Player of the Season after helping Brendan Rodgers defend the Scottish Premiership title and win the League Cup against Rangers back in December.
Engels has also scored 10 goals and created 13 assists and has shone against Europe’s elite for Celtic in the Champions League.
At just 21, the Celtic midfielder has plenty of developing still to do and, despite his critics, Engels has been told by Bundesliga expert Derek Rae that there is a team in Germany he could easily walk into.
Celtic told Arne Engels could have easily played for Borussia Dortmund
There are some people who remain sceptical about Engels at Celtic despite his impressive numbers this season.
However, Rae reckons that if he wanted to, Engels could strut his stuff in the Westfalenstadion instead of Celtic Park.
Rae told The Celtic Way, “Engels was well known to people who follow the Bundesliga; this was a player who was on the way up.
“Had he not gone to Celtic, then the logical transfer move for him would have been to move to one of the European representatives in the Bundesliga.
“Engels wouldn’t have looked out of place playing for a team like Borussia Dortmund, for example. Who knows, that might be his career trajectory at some point if he continues doing what he is doing.
“However, Celtic is a great place for him right now.”
Arne Engels could leave Celtic within ‘five or six years’
Celtic’s player trading model means that it is unusual to have players who stay at the club for prolonged periods of time.
But Rae has predicted when Engels could make his Celtic exit but does caveat that with an opinion that will please the Parkhead support.
Rae continued, “Celtic were buying a combination of potential that has already been harnessed into something pretty productive.
“Celtic and Rodgers knew that they didn’t have the complete player in Engels, but they could take him to the next level in his development and then hopefully sell him for profit further down the line.
“He is not the kind of player who will be at Celtic for the next five or six years. His next ambition will be to go to one of the top leagues with a top team. That will probably be his next step.
“He may not be in a hurry to do that and may feel that another season with Celtic, possibly playing in the Champions League and honing his skills there and regular international recognition with Belgium on a sustained basis won’t be far away either.”
the vast majority of Celtic fans will not be in a hurry to see Engels leave Glasgow anytime soon.
Whilst it cannot be denied that there have been times when he has not performed to his capability, it is worth remembering that Engels has dealt with the spotlight and pressure of playing for Celtic extremely well.
With another full pre-season under his belt with Rodgers, next season will be huge for the young Belgian as Celtic look to continue their excellent progress in the Champions League and keep Rangers at bay domestically.
