Martin O'Neill has confirmed that Celtic midfielder Arne Engels will be out of contention for at least a month, with the player not set to return until late March.
Speaking about the injury, O'Neill said:
"He’ll be out to the international window. I don’t think, unless he does really, really well in recovery, I can’t see us having him before that finishes, which would be the end of March.
It’s his thigh, which is every bit as bad as a hamstring injury in that sense. It’s a big loss for us, absolutely. That’s why getting Alex [Oxlade-Chamberlain] in has been so crucial for us."
Engels was forced off against Livingston last week in the first half, with supporters expressing their concerns about losing such a massive player. The midfielder has been in constant good form for the Celts this season, and will be a massive blow.
Time for Oxlade-Chamberlain to step up
With the big hit to the squad, there has never been a better time for Oxlade-Chamberlain to step up to the plate. He is only an option domestically, but one who can help push O'Neill's side to an all-important league title.
In Europe, we will have to utilise either Reo Hatate or Luke McCowan in the middle of the park, the former of which has been under scrutiny from supporters. Hatate sadly seems like a shadow of his former self, who dominated Scottish football, and at this point, it seems unlikely that he'll be able to find form in time.
Thus, McCowan has the perfect opportunity to show he still has what it takes to play for the Hoops. He is another player who fans have not been impressed with this season, and unless he manages to win everyone back over in the next few months, he could also be out the door at the end of the season.
The Ox will be the obvious option to play in the league, though. In the two matches he has played since joining Celtic, he has been brilliant in both, even scoring on his debut after curling a shot past the goalkeeper in the 91st minute against Livingston. Scoring that goal at home meant he immediately won over the home fans, and he has proven that he still has what it takes to play for a massive club.
But even still, the difference when Engels isn't on the park has been noticeable. Since Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn't been fit enough to start yet, we have often been relying on players like Hatate, and the difference in quality is clear to see. There is a slower tempo, and we fail to dominate the midfield as much as we do when the Belgian is on the pitch. He clearly has an influence, but we take it for granted.