ARNE ENGELS smiled when he was asked if Philippe Clement told him he wanted him as a Rangers player.
And the new Celtic star certainly didn’t deny that his compatriot was envious of the fact his team’s greatest rivals can now call him one of their own.
Arne Engels and Philippe Clement caught up before the action kicked off on Sunday[/caption]
They also had a brief chat after the game[/caption]
Engels, 20, became the Parkhead club’s record signing when his £11m transfer was completed on deadline day.
He’s had quite the few days since then, having made his debut as a sub in the 3-0 Old Firm win over Gers and now linking up with the Belgium national squad.
Engels was spotted talking to Clement both before and after the match at Celtic Park on Sunday.
The Belgian press noticed the interaction and asked him about it during a press conference ahead of the national team’s game against Israel.
One reporter asked: “Did he (Clement) say he would have preferred to have you sitting on his bench?”
The former Augsburg star joked: “I don’t know, but I think so… It’s not for me to say.
“I am now a Celtic player and I am immensely proud of that.”
He went on to ssay: “It’s different (to playing for Augsburg), playing at a top-table club and fighting for trophies.
“The new format of the Champions League was very nice to make that choice, to show myself at the highest level.
“The fans are great, from what I have experienced in the match against Rangers, it was incredible.
“Being there and seeing how much the fans get behind the team was really beautiful to experience.”
Belgium play Israel on Friday in Hungary (a neutral venue selected due to ongoing protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict) before a clash against France on Monday in Lyon.
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