Celtic midfielder Arne Engels has issued a stark warning to the club's Premiership rivals, declaring the champions are now primed for a full-scale assault on the title following a dramatic return to form.
A New Dawn Under O'Neill
The Belgian international's confidence comes on the back of a resounding 4-0 victory over Dundee United at Parkhead on Saturday. The match marked the highly anticipated return of manager Martin O'Neill to the Celtic dugout, and the performance provided a stunning contrast to the team's recent struggles.
Under previous boss Wilfried Nancy, Celtic had managed just two wins in six league games, with a damaging home defeat to Rangers on January 3 proving the final straw. The team looked lost within Nancy's 3-4-3 system, also suffering defeats to Motherwell, Hearts, and St Mirren in the League Cup final.
However, the transformation under O'Neill was immediate and profound. Engels, who scored the second goal in the rout against Jim Goodwin's side, believes the champions have rediscovered their identity.
'Everybody has a lot of confidence now,' said Engels. 'I think it's really good that we just stick to the basics again and that we do what we are good at. Then you see everything follows.'
Simplifying the Game Plan
The midfielder pinpointed the clarity of O'Neill's approach as key to the revival. A swift return to the manager's favoured 4-3-3 formation replaced the confusing tactics of the previous regime, allowing the players' natural talent to flourish.
'I think we knew what system he wanted to play because we had him before,' Engels explained. 'So, it's up to us then to just simplify the game and go on and create a lot of chances and we did that. Then you see that we have a lot of talent in our squad to finish it.'
He emphasised the team's dominant display, stating they never allowed Dundee United a foothold in the game, pressed effectively, and instantly won back possession when they lost it.
Chasing the Crown with 17 Games to Go
With the gloom of the Nancy era now firmly behind them, Engels says the squad is fully focused on the challenge ahead: reeling in Hearts and Rangers at the top of the table.
'We know now that we have some points that we need to come back from,' he admitted. 'But we are Celtic so we want to win everything and we actually like to be just chasing something. So, now we have a goal from here. There are still 17 games to go and we are going all in for that championship.'
Delivering the title would, for Engels and his teammates, be the perfect way to repay O'Neill for answering the club's call for a second time during a crisis.
'He came in twice (after) a really difficult period and he gave us a lot of confidence and trust that we are really good players,' said the midfielder. 'And then you see that the results are speaking for themselves. Obviously, we want to give him something back.'
Beyond the league, Engels highlighted that Celtic have plenty to fight for, including progress in the Europa League and the Scottish Cup, making their return to form all the more timely.
'It's been a really tough period for us all,' he concluded. 'But it's up to us to just move on now and go from here because we showed on Saturday that we have a really good squad... and that we can win games and not give any opposition any chance.'
