Brendan Rodgers has advised Arne Engels’ doubters they need to “study their lesson” from earlier gamers they have been too fast to guage.
Celtic broke their switch document to signal the Belgian midfielder from Augsburg for £11m in the summertime.
He was extensively considered as a substitute for Matt O’Riley following his transfer to Brighton however, with three objectives and 6 assists in 16 appearances, many critics consider he has not lived as much as expectations to date.
The 21-year-old was changed by Paulo Bernardo after an hour of Wednesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Membership Brugge, with some calling for the Portuguese midfielder to start out forward of him in upcoming video games.
However Rodgers was fast to level out each Bernardo and Nicolas Kuhn obtained related criticism earlier than discovering their type with the Scottish champions.
“The latest instance of that might be Paulo. It was precisely the identical, if I bear in mind again, highlighting him in his performances this time final 12 months,” the Celtic boss mentioned forward of Saturday’s Premiership match in opposition to Ross County.
“Now, he cannot be cheered on loud sufficient when he enters on to the pitch. That is known as improvement, it is known as persistence, it is known as time.
“Arne is a unbelievable younger participant, in any other case we would not have introduced him right here. He does not set the value.
“He is come right here to a giant membership to enhance his sport and I’ve acquired completely little doubt he’ll do this.
“I do know it will not be the case, however I’d hope that individuals will study their lesson. The identical those that have been writing off Paulo and Nicolas Kuhn, it will be Arne Engels, it will be another person.
“Some will hit the bottom working and be advantageous and adapt completely however not everyone seems to be like that, particularly a younger participant.
“I have been actually happy since he is are available in as a result of I do know the longer term for him. He’ll enhance, he’ll develop and get higher. We have seen it so many occasions.”
Rodgers additionally expressed his delight at right-back Alistair Johnston’s nomination for the FIFA World Finest XI in recognition of his performances for each Celtic and Canada in 2024.
“It is completely good for him,” he added.
“It recognises the consistency that he is performed internationally and domestically, and reveals how he is rising as a soccer participant. It is a fantastic honour for him to be recognised on that listing.”