{"id":297217,"date":"2025-07-28T00:47:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T00:47:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/297217\/"},"modified":"2025-07-28T00:47:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T00:47:10","slug":"celtic-midfielder-lauded-for-being-too-strong-for-ivan-toney-after-being-mistaken-for-carter-vickers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/297217\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtic midfielder lauded for being ‘too strong’ for Ivan Toney, after being mistaken for Carter-Vickers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Once upon a time, Ivan Toney was being linked with a move to Celtic. <\/strong><\/p>\n

But fast forward to the present, and in the prime of his career, Toney<\/a> is playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli after securing a move to the Middle East from Brentford last summer. <\/p>\n

Toney faced Brendan Rodgers\u2019 side<\/a> on Saturday evening, as Celtic beat Al-Ahli on penalties<\/a> after a 1-1 draw in normal time. <\/p>\n

The England international, 29, who was part of Thomas Tuchel\u2019s most recent squad, was kept quiet by Celtic\u2019s<\/a> backline, including Cameron Carter-Vickers<\/a>. <\/p>\n

That\u2019s expected because it\u2019s in Carter-Vickers\u2019 game and skill set, but another unexpected face came to the fore and dealt with Toney pretty well in the Como Cup.<\/p>\n

\"IvanPhoto by George Wood\/Getty ImagesArne Engels\u2019 strength is mistaken for Cameron Carter-Vickers\u2019 <\/p>\n

Arne Engels<\/a> isn\u2019t exactly known for his brute strength, but his technical ability, in-game intelligence, and dead-ball skills. <\/p>\n

But Celtic\u2019s club-record transfer<\/a> showcased a different side to his game against Al-Ahli, including dealing with Toney during one passage of play.<\/p>\n

At the time, Simon Donnelly<\/a> was praising Carter-Vickers for being \u2018too strong\u2019 for Toney, but when he saw the replays again, as he spoke on Celtic TV<\/a> (26\/07\/25), he quickly realised it was Engels, and then gave him his flowers. <\/p>\n

Celtic TV commentator: \u201cIt\u2019s played into the area, but good strength from Celtic to hold off Toney.\u201d<\/p>\n

Donnelly: \u201cYeah, that\u2019s good play from Carter-Vickers there. You say it, strength. But good defending. Matched the run of Toney, he was too strong for him. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was actually Engels. My mistake. He did a bit of good backtracking there and showed good strength to hold Toney off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Big season ahead for Engels<\/p>\n

Makes no bones about it, the pressure levels are going to ramp up on Engels<\/a> for the 2025\/26 campaign, after a mixed first season in Celtic colours.<\/p>\n

If he produces the same performances, or they drop, then he will get verbal pelters from a lot more people, regardless of what Celtic do or don\u2019t win. <\/p>\n

This is what it feels like playing for a pressure cooker of a club like Celtic, but going off last season, Engels has two trophies to his name, and he has set a platform he should now spring off. <\/p>\n