Bullish Brendan Rodgers has urged Arne Engels’ critics not to judge the Celtic ace by his £11million price tag. The Belgium midfielder was among the Parkhead side’s brave Bergamo battlers that dug in to earn the Hoops a vital Champions League point with Wednesday’s goalless draw away to Atalanta.
But that hasn’t been enough to please everyone and some fans have taken to social media to aim pops at his failure to do more on the ball in recent weeks.
The initial reaction to his big money move from German outfit Augsburg saw the 21-year-old lavished with praise - but those have quickly cooled following underwhelming displays against Borussia Dortmund, Aberdeen and Gian Piero Gasperini’s Europa League winners.
Rodgers, though, fully expects to see Celtic get their money’s worth in the months to come. It doesn't surprise me, no,” said the Northern Irishman as he was quizzed on the online flak. “But it's it doesn't really matter either.