Celtic wrapped up their fourth title in as many seasons last weekend when they beat Dundee United 5-0 at Tannadice Park in the Scottish Premiership.
An own goal from Ryan Strain put the Hoops 1-0 up early on in the match, before two goals apiece from Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah made sure of the victory.
The Scottish giants now have four matches left to play in the league with little to play for but pride and to extend their points total, as well as using the games to warm up for the SFA Cup final.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are due to face Aberdeen at Hampden Park in the SFA Cup final at the end of this month, knowing that a win would mean that they have completed the domestic treble this season.
It has been a terrific season for the Hoops, who also made it to the play-off round of the Champions League, and some of their signings in the last summer transfer window have contributed to that.
Celtic decided to splash the cash, after Matt O’Riley’s move to Brighton & Hove Albion, with a club-record swoop to sign Arne Engels from Augsburg for a reported fee of £11m.
Why Arne Engels has been a successful signing for Celtic
The Belgian midfielder had only started 13 of his 32 appearances in the Bundesliga for Augsburg in the 2023/24 campaign, which meant that the Hoops were breaking their transfer record to sign a young player who had yet to prove that he could perform consistently as a regular starter.
It was a gamble that has already paid off for the Scottish giants, though, as Engels has enjoyed a terrific debut season at Parkhead, nailing down a place as an influential figure in midfield for Rodgers.
The 21-year-old talent has scored ten goals and provided 12 assists in 48 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops this term, which shows that he has made a big impact at the top end of the pitch.
It is worth adding that eight of those ten goals have come from the penalty spot. Of course, you still have to score from 12 yards, but it does suggest that the midfielder does not carry a huge goal threat from open play.
Starts
22
9
Big chances created
11
3
Key passes per game
1.7
1.8
Assists
5
3
Tackles + interceptions per game
0.8
2.4
Duel success rate
48%
59%
As you can see in the table above, Engels has provided consistent quality as a creator for his teammates with 14 ‘big chances’ created in 31 starts in the Premiership and the Champions League combined, whilst also holding his own in physical duels.
These statistics show that the Belgium international has been a successful signing for Celtic because he has hit the ground running as a star for the Hoops.
However, the Scottish giants could land an even bigger talent than Engels by swooping to sign one of the reported transfer targets ahead of next season.
Celtic's interest in Premiership star
The Scottish Sun recently revealed that Celtic had an offer turned down for Motherwell central midfielder Lennon Miller in the January transfer window.
It was claimed that the Hoops and Italian side Udinese had bids rejected for the Scotland U21 international, who remained at Fir Park for the second half of this season.
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The outlet added that Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise are lining up a swoop for the Scottish starlet in the upcoming summer transfer window, with a fee of £5m said to be on the cards.
Celtic must, now, press ahead with another attempt to sign the Motherwell sensation when the summer window opens for business, because he has the potential to be an even bigger talent than Engels for the Bhoys.
Why Miller is an even bigger talent than Engels
Firstly, Miller is three years younger than the Belgian midfielder, who plays in the same position as him, and has already established himself as a regular starter in the Premiership.
He has started 48 matches in the Scottish top-flight since the start of last season, which shows that the teenage gem already has plenty of experience in the league despite his age.
This also means that he has even more time left ahead of him to develop and improve as a player in comparison to Engels, as he has established himself as a star at first-team level at a much younger age.
Miller’s performances in the Premiership for Motherwell, including his stunning assist against Celtic last season in the clip below, also suggest that he could offer even more than the Belgian ace in the short-term as well.
The Scottish ace, who has been hailed as “ridiculous” by pundit James McFadden, has the quality to offer a similar level of creativity whilst providing more to the team out of possession.
Appearances
31
28
Big chances created
11
10
Key passes per game
1.7
1.6
Assists
5
6
Tackles + interceptions per game
0.8
3.1
Ball recoveries per game
2.5
6.5
Duel success rate
48%
52%
As you can see in the table above, Miller, despite playing for an inferior side at Premiership level, has only created one fewer ‘big chance’ in three fewer appearances.
The Motherwell dynamo has, however, won the ball back far more frequently for his side and come out on top in a higher percentage of his duels with other midfielders.
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Therefore, Celtic could land an even bigger talent than Engels by signing Miller because he has performed as well as the Hoops star in possession, whilst doing more for his team defensively, and is three years younger than him.
It is now down to the club to get a deal over the line for the teenage starlet, who could develop into a star for the Scottish giants next season and for many seasons to come.