'He Was Already Outperforming Us' – Boss Makes Admission On Celtic Star Leaving
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Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen has revealed that Celtic midfielder Arne Engels was not quite ready for the Belgian club’s first team when he left despite being a top performer in the youth side.
After selling Matt O'Riley to Premier League outfit Brighton for a club-record fee in the summer, Brendan Rodgers splashed the cash to bring Engels to Celtic Park.
The Glasgow giants paid £11m to German side Augsburg for the Belgian in the summer and he has been a very capable signing so far.
The Belgium midfielder came through Club Brugge's youth system and played for the second string side Club NXT under Hayen until joining Augsburg.
Hayen made it clear that Engels was not quite ready for the first team when he left and understands why the young Belgian decided to leave.
"Physically, he was already outperforming us. He was a player who was perhaps too good for NXT, but not quite good enough for the first team", Hayen told a press conference about the 21-year-old midfielder.
"Then you have to show a moment of patience, but that is sometimes difficult.
"I do understand why he left.
"Although we have already proven here that the young guys get a lot of chances.
“It worked out well for him."
Engels has accumulated nine-goal contributions at Celtic so far and tonight at Celtic Park the Belgian will be looking to have an impactful performance against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
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