Celtic: Arne Engels not fazed by club record price tag

Engels made more than 50 appearances in the Bundesliga and made his Belgium debut as a substitute in Friday’s 3-1 win over Israel – two days before his birthday.

However, he believes that playing for Celtic will help him progress further and that “it’s an amazing team” and “everybody is teaching me a lot” already.

“It’s a really big club,” he said. “I think it’s the biggest club in Scotland – they play every time for the championship and for the cups.

“So it’s obvious that it’s a step forward for me and also, with the new format of the Champions League, I think it can be really amazing and special.

“To be under pressure to win every game – this is something I want to experience.”

Engels moved to Germany 18 months ago, having come through Club Bruges’ youth academy.

“I left home really early and I needed to do things for my own and look after myself,” he said.

“It helped me to grow up really quickly – actually quicker than I expected. I always believed in myself and that’s why I made the step there and that’s why I also made the step here, because I believe in myself and I want to show what I have got.”

Engels played for Bruges’ B team while current Rangers manager Philippe Clement was in charge and the pair greeted each other at Celtic Park before he made his debut as a substitute in his side’s 2-0 derby victory.

“I worked with him, so it’s normal that we see each other,” Engels said before adding that, although “it was nice to see him”, it was also good “to beat him”.