Arne Engels started Celtic’s trip to Paisley on Saturday evening.
After the drama of Celtic’s AGM on Friday, this was the chance for the players to do the talking on the pitch against a high-quality St Mirren side.
For Engels, he had been subbed off when Callum McGregor’s stunning late strike helped Celtic beat St Mirren 1-0 right at the death.
Let’s be honest, a draw was the fair result, but that’s why Celtic are the champions of Scotland.
Whilst that was something for the supporters to cheer about, it wasn’t all rosy in the garden, and Engels proved that during his time on the pitch.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesCeltic fans react to Arne Engels’ performance against St Mirren
Engels started in midfield, and then, following some changes in the second half, he was shifted to right-back by Martin O’Neill, where he proceeded to slip on one occasion, which was nearly costly, before he was subbed off.
Whether Engels likes it or not, that club-record price tag over his head will never go away, and that’s what he is going to be judged by.
Unfortunately, the 22-year-old isn’t winning over the Celtic Park faithful, and they are picking out several issues in his game.
One of them is the Belgian’s poor quality from set-piece situations, which was portrayed time and time again during his 85 minutes against St Mirren.
@67_Celtic_1888 wants Engels off set-pieces: ‘Engels is not a set-piece specialist. Case Closed.’
Engels is not a set piece specialist.
Case Closed.🍀
— TheHoops🍀🏴🇮🇹 (@67_Celtic_1888) November 22, 2025
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Another Celtic fan questioning Engels taking set-pieces, as @DanielCurragh stated: ‘Why is Engels the set piece taker when he’s on? Is it cause everyone else is even worse than he is?’
Why is Engels the set piece taker when he’s on? Is it cause everyone else is even worse than he is?
— Handsome Jansen (@DanielCurragh) November 22, 2025
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@mannion_gerald didn’t hold back: ‘Seriously, how Engels is still on this pitch is beyond me, he’s been dreadful.’
Seriously how Engels is still on this pitch is beyond me he’s been dreadful
— gerald Mannion (@mannion_gerald) November 22, 2025
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@Velociraptor198 has seen it all before from Celtic’s club-record transfer: ‘Engels anonymous again.’
@JohnnyL57 made his feelings clear on the Engels signing: ‘If Engels cost 11 quid he would still be a waste of money.’
If Engels cost 11 quid he would still be a waste of money.
— JohnnyL57 (@JohnnyL57) November 22, 2025
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@HoopsIconic shares what has been coached out of the Belgian: ‘Engels has been coached out of putting a decent cross in.’
Engels has been coached out of putting a decent cross in.
— Hoooops (@HoopsIconic) November 22, 2025
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@cole67_ named the players who should be starting ahead of Engels: ‘McCowan/Bernardo should be starting ahead of Engels.’
McCowan/Bernardo should be starting ahead of Engels.
— Cole (@cole67_) November 22, 2025
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@TheFargoFella doesn’t like where Engels is at: ‘Don’t like where Engels is at, don’t like the lack of crosses, really don’t like the solutions around the box.’
Don’t like where Engels is at, don’t like the lack of crosses, really don’t like the solutions around the box
— – (@TheFargoFella) November 22, 2025
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@EdBhoy1888 had a question: ‘Seriously, what is the point of Arne Engels?’
No time to rest for Celtic, as Engels has a chance to put things right when the team travel to the Netherlands on Thursday night.
The Hoops will play Robin van Persie’s Feyenoord, as they are at risk of not even securing qualification to the next stage of the Europa League, given their poor start.