NT manager uses Celtic player as example to issue stern warning of not getting ‘endless opportunities’

Celtic signed Arne Engels from FC Augsburg in the summer window. The midfielder has impressed for Brendan Rodgers’ side this season, scoring three goals and registering six assists from 13 games in all competitions.

The 21-year-old’s performances for Celtic partly helped him make his debut for Belgium in September. Engels was part of the national team squad last month, but didn’t receive a call up from De Rode Duivels boss Domenico Tedesco for November’s international break.

Earlier today, the German spoke to reporters after announcing the squad to face Italy and Israel in the UEFA Nations League. His comments are relayed by Het Nieuwsblad.

Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku has returned to the squad. The 31-year-old recently talked about some of the new players in the national team being lazy. The Belgium manager has used the Celtic man as an example to send a clear message.

“You cannot possibly paint everyone with the same brush, because everyone has their own character and plays in a specific club in a specific country,” he said.

“Arne Engels, for example, plays for the title and in the Champions League at Celtic. Many young people are doing really well at their club. You can’t summarise something like that in one sentence.”

The national team manager then issued a warning to the young players, including Engels.

“I’m not going to keep giving endless opportunities. And the young people are indeed being pushed. Then it’s a matter of whether they pick it up or not,” Tedesco explained.

“You therefore do not always immediately see this in the direct results. There is also the way: we played very well at home against France, and it was also good for an hour in Italy.”

Het Laatste Nieuws have also relayed Tedesco’s comments, where he uses the example of the Celtic player to talk about the ‘winning mentality’.

“Every football player is different. Many players here have made great strides forward and experience comes naturally. Arne Engels, for example, plays for the title at Celtic. But they certainly have to push. Otherwise, they would not have gotten here,” he added.