Arne Engels’ early Celtic career has come with a heightened equal level of expectation, which isn’t usually apparent with new signings.
Some fans seemingly expect the Belgian to put in 10/10 displays every week solely because he cost a club record £11m. Those hopes need to be toned down.
At just 21 years of age, Engels isn’t going to reach unseen levels every game; he will have natural drop-offs. That was apparent on Saturday at Tynecastle, but perhaps his quiet display resulted from the sheer volume of matches he’s played lately.
Engels has started seven games for club and country over the past 27 days. That, combined with travelling across the continent for matches, means he could do with sitting out on Wednesday against his old employers, Club Brugge.
Now, the Belgian was key as Celtic stunned RB Leipzig last time out in the UEFA Champions League, and he, much like his teammates, has turned up in all but one of the Bhoys’ European games this campaign. The case for giving him a rest, though, heightens when you have a certain Paulo Bernardo at your disposal.
The 22-year-old has been knocking on the door for a start for the past month and certainly made his case with a typically hustling midfield cameo in Gorgie, in which he set up Adam Idah’s first goal.
Bernardo’s key traits — running power, physicality, ball carrying, and attacking threat — are all essential strings players must have to their bows in Europe.
Brendan Rodgers trusted Bernardo on the continent last season, too, and there is nothing to say he can’t cope with the demands this time around.
While there is a fair case for saving the £3.5m man’s vivacity for the last half an hour when Brugge inevitably tire, he more than deserves a start, given his recent cameos.
Just as a storm unleashes its fury, Rodgers should release Bernardo’s shackles on Wednesday night.
