Celtic’s next Champions League opponent Club Brugge rocked by ‘furious’ infighting

It is being reported that there is friction within the Club Brugge camp less than two weeks before they play Celtic in the Champions League.

The Hoops will return from the international break to face Hearts next Saturday evening in the Premiership before attention turns to Club Brugge.

Celtic face the Belgian champions on November 27 under the lights at Celtic Park with a fantastic opportunity to effectively guarantee a knockout play-off spot.

Club Brugge will have the same ambition but a recent report has stated that there is disharmony between chairman, manager and players at the club.

Club Brugge friction reported as Celtic take notice

After beating Aston Villa 1-0 in the Champions League, Brugge failed to follow that famous win up with a victory in the league.

They drew 2-2 with bottom of the league Beerschot and Belgian media have been reporting that the chairman Bart Verhaeghe wasn’t best pleased with the result.

In fact, it’s being claimed that a ‘furious’ Verhaeghe burst his way into the dressing room and ‘reminded the players of their responsibilities.’

Moreover, one player at the club has publicly expressed his disdain at not being handed enough game time by the Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen.

The player in question is Belgium international Hugo Siquet who was brought to Brugge in the summer from Freiburg for a reported £3m.

As quoted by freelance journalist Mark Walker via The Celtic Way, Siquet has said: “The situation for me is not good and mentally it is very difficult.

“I try to give everything for the club and I will continue to do so until the last moment, but I get little in return.

“I have the right mentality, I think I show a lot of maturity and when I get my chance, I will be ready and seize it.”

What does this mean for Celtic?

Naturally, Celtic fans may be encouraged by the fact there is infighting inside Club Brugge – but it could deliver the opposite effect.

A rollicking from the chairman isn’t exactly commonplace and it might give the Brugge boys a kick up the backside with just 12 days until they meet the Hoops in Glasgow.

Club Brugge are third in the Belgian top-flight at the moment and have the chance to right the wrongs of the Beerschot result when they face STVV who sit eight places below them in 11th.

Then it’s a trip to Parkhead when Celtic will hope their struggles on and off the park have continued until the eve of the big clash.

Belgian media react to Arne Engels performance in defeat to Italy

Belgium lost out in a narrow defeat to Italy last night in Nations League action.

The Red Devils faced off against Luciano Spaletti’s side and lost at home thanks to a goal from Sandro Tonali within the first 11 minutes.

It leaves Domenico Tedesco’s side in a spot of bother as they now sit back in third from their group with Italy top on 13 points and France second on 10.

One man who played the majority of the action was Celtic’s record signing Arne Engels.

READ MORE: All 13 Celtic players on November international duty and how to watch their games live

The 22-year-old Engels is one of 13 Celtic stars on international duty but only won his first start on the night.

Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images

Yet his performance was praised by sections of the Belgian media who noted him as a bright-spark on a difficult evening.

The playmaker was singled out for doing the dirty work for his country as opposed to his usually creative and attacking style in the midfield for the Hoops.

Engels has shown he can do his defensive duties for Celtic – a clear role he took up in Atalanta during the goalless Champions League tie earlier this season – and he did the same for Belgium last night.

Arne Engels was praised by Belgian media for his defensive maturity

Media outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, as translated into English, applauded the player for his outing and credited him as being a mature presence in the engine room.

They wrote: “Engels showed maturity and precision in his passing, which was crucial for Belgium’s ball possession.”

Another publication, De Standaard, also lauded Engels’ defensive mind and his desire to win the ball back for his team for 90 minutes.

Arne Engels’ Celtic stats since he arrived from Augsburg on a record fee

They wrote: “Engels was tireless in winning the ball back and displayed impressive stamina throughout the entire match.”

The young man has been excellent since he joined Celtic from Augsburg with three goals and six assists from his 14 matches this campaign so far.

He was the club’s record £11million signing in the summer.

Celtic defender Liam Scales delivers masterclass display for Ireland in win v Finland

Several Celtic players were in action for their respective countries on Thursday.

Liam Scales was one of the 13 Celtic players on international duty, and Brendan Rodgers will be absolutely thrilled by his efforts.

The Bhoys defender started for the Republic of Ireland and played the entire game in the 1-0 win against Finland.

Scales has made ten starts in the Scottish Premiership this season and has one goal to his name.

Celtic have been flying high in the league this season, and Scales has helped the Hoops to keep eight clean sheets so far.

The 26-year-old continued his impressive form for his country and delivered a masterclass performance.

Scales delivers defensive masterclass v Finland

The Irish defender is not someone who commits to making tackles. He makes 1.4 tackles and 4.4 ball recoveries per game.

Scales manages 91% passing accuracy and makes 5.1 clearances per game.

The defender made 12 clearances against Finland and blocked two efforts. He won six out of seven duels and only lost possession seven times during the game.

Rodgers should be thrilled by Scales display

The Celtic boss will be very pleased to find that both Scales and Auston Trusty are playing exceptionally well.

Cameron Carter-Vickers has become almost undroppable at Celtic Park, but these two defenders are forcing Rodgers to pick them in the starting eleven.

In the previous game against Motherwell, both Scales and Trusty started at the back, and the pair did really well, although Kasper Schmeichel grabbed all the headlines for his outstanding performance.

Rodgers will definitely welcome this selection headache. It also reflects how strong Celtic are at the moment and that all players are fighting for their places in the side.

Celtic will play Hearts away from home after the international break, followed by an important Champions League game against Club Brugge.

Rodgers will hope that Scales will continue his impressive form for the Bhoys.