Arne Engels fulfils his Celtic destiny as £11m man proves Brendan Rodgers right after 'slow-burner' start

Arne Engels has started to fulfil his Celtic destiny after his record breaking summer move to Glasgow.

Brendan Rodgers splashed out £11milion to bring in the midfielder as part of his summer spending spree that including shelling out for both Adam Idah and Auston Trusty. Belgium international Engels had the pressure of his lofty price tag on his shoulders with expectancy from the stands for an immediate hit the ground running, fast start. His transformation in the last three months to become a 'big player' has impressed Neil Lennon who felt early on in the season the youngster was struggling with taking the ball in tight areas.

But his recent form - including the two clashes with Bayern Munich in the Champions League - caught the eye of the former Hoops skipper and boss after what he describes as a 'slow-burner' start. Back in December, Rodgers took the decision to take Engels out of the firing line and 'let him see from the outside looking in' in order to help remove that pressure from his shoulders. It's a move that has worked wonders with his prediction that he would only get better in time coming true.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the win over Aberdeen, Lennon said: "We are seeing all the attributes he's got now. I felt early on in the season he was struggling with the tightness. Taking the ball in tight areas. Now we are really seeing him flourish.

"I thought he was terrific tonight and great against Bayern Munich in both games. He had a little bit of a slow-burner obviously but now he's really showing his quality. Not only running with the ball but his play in general. I thought he was terrific for the second goal. His all round game is coming on. He's a big player now for Celtic which you wouldn't have said