The return of Arne Engels to full fitness could provide a vital spark for Celtic's midfield, an area that looked worryingly flat during last weekend's narrow 1-0 victory over St Mirren at Celtic Park. While the three points were secured, the performance highlighted a clear lack of dynamism in the engine room.
Manager Martin O’Neill's selection for that match featured a patched-up Callum McGregor, the veteran Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain—who scored the decisive goal—and Benjamin Nygren. While Nygren has been a reliable scorer in his debut season, his overall contribution in midfield has been questioned, with his place seemingly secured by a goals tally that the club's other strikers have struggled to match.
This midfield issue is a pressing concern as Celtic prepare for a crucial Scottish Cup semi-final rematch against St Mirren at Hampden this afternoon. The winner will earn a spot in the final against Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic on May 23rd, making today's team selection and performance paramount.
In search of solutions, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has pinpointed record signing Arne Engels as a potential game-changer. The Belgian international made a late cameo last weekend after a two-month injury layoff, and Sutton believes his reintroduction could be perfectly timed.
Sutton argues that Engels possesses the one attribute the current Celtic midfield is desperately missing: energy. The pundit highlighted in his Daily Record column that Nottingham Forest's rejected £25 million bid for Engels just two months ago raised eyebrows among some fans, given the midfielder's initial £12 million fee. However, Sutton sees this as a massive opportunity for Engels to silence doubters and prove his worth.
With a late-season burst of form, Engels could not only revitalize Celtic's push for silverware but also force his way into contention for Belgium's upcoming World Cup squad. His ability to drive forward, press, and link play could be the exact prescription needed to cure Celtic's midfield ailments and inject some much-needed vigor into their title chase.