Elite national team manager in Celtic reference as star's Hoops success leaves him struggling for words

Luke McCowan, centre, will miss out for Celtic.Luke McCowan, centre, will miss out for Celtic.
Luke McCowan, centre, will miss out for Celtic. | SNS Group
The Hoops midfielder has recently made his mark on the international stage with his country

Belgian national team head coach Domenico Tedesco has referenced Celtic midfielder Arne Engels as a prime example to back-up his suggestion that some of the country’s rising stars need to develop a winning mentality.

The German boss has issued a clear warning to a number of Belgium’s young up-and-coming players, including Engels after recently admitting that some stars of the future haven’t been pulling their weight.

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Tedesco addressed the media this week after naming his latest squad to face Italy and Israel in the UEFA Nations League later this month. He decided against calling up the Hoops £11m man for November’s international camp, even though Engels was part of the senior squad last month.

Here's what Celtic need to do to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League. Cr: SNS Group.Here's what Celtic need to do to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League. Cr: SNS Group.
Here's what Celtic need to do to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League. Cr: SNS Group. | SNS Group

The 21-year-old’s performances for Brendan Rodgers’ side since arriving on Deadline Day in the summer from FC Augsburg played a major role in helping him earn his Belgium debut in September. He has scored three goals and contributed six assists from 13 games across all competitions so far.

Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, Tedesco explained: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. 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.

“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.

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“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.”

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