BRENDAN RODGERS vows he won’t park the bus in Dortmund.
But somewhere close to the Westfalenstadion, Arne Engels’ old man will.
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The Celtic midfielder has revealed his dad will be driving his family from Belgium to Germany for the Champions League clash – in a minivan.
It’s a road trip adventure they did during the 21 year-old time in the Bundesliga.
And one they can’t wait for to see their boy in action against Borussia Dortmund.
Engels said: “There will be a few of my family members coming to the game.
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“It’s a special feeling to have them in the stands.
“My parents were also lost last time for the Champions League against Bratislava so it an amazing feeling to have them here.
“It feels always a bit different to have some family here and it’s good.
“They are coming with the van.
“It’s going to be good for them also to have a little bit of a family trip.
“Everybody in my family is always supporting me.
“It’s always nice to know that they have my back and I’m trying to do something also back for them.
“They bought a van to come to Germany with the family when I played here.
“It’s really nice also for them.
“It’s like an adventure for them also to see me playing. It’s a bonus but it’s also for them a little family trip and a little bonus in the end.
“It will be my parents, my aunt and my uncle and a few others.
“Every game when they are there you always try to search them into the crowd. Sometimes you don’t find them and sometimes you find them.
“It’s like a bit of a relief that they are here and they know that you are doing well.
“Like I said, it’s amazing what they did for me. It’s incredible. Like I said I also want to return them something.”
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Just playing in the Champions League was something Engels dreamed of as a kid growing up in Belgium.
But it’s become a reality this season.
And one he’s determined to grab with both hands.
The super-cool young midfielder just doesn’t want to let his childhood ambitions cloud his aims as an adult.
Engels added: “Of course, it’s a really nice and amazing match and also playing in the Champions League is a child‘s dream.
“Of course, it’s a nice bonus but it’s not the only reason I came to Celtic. It’s also to perform well and to maybe win trophies.
“You always hope to achieve it. Like I said it’s a kid’s dream and now it’s coming true. It’s an amazing feeling also for me but I’m here to perform and not to live the dream. It’s going to be really nice for me.”
Dortmund boss Nuri Sahin admits doesn’t know much about Engels going into the game.
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But the Celtic midfielder aims to make sure the he knows all about him by the end of it.
Engels was signed by Brendan Rodgers in a £11million deal from Bundesliga club Augsburg.
The hugely talented playmaker looks destined for the very top.
Even after just a handful games for Celtic he’s looked the part and showed moments of brilliance.
But surprisingly the Belgian international hasn’t caught Sahin’s eye, as he admitted at Monday’s press conference.
Engels isn’t the least bit bothered.
But he’s aiming for a starring performance in the Westfalenstadion tonight to show Sahin exactly what he’s all about.
Engels added: “We will see.
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“I don’t want to say a lot about it but we will see. We just need to think about the team and how the team performs and then the rest will follow I think.
“It’s like another game for me.
“I just want to perform really well at the highest level. That’s a good game tomorrow and a good challenge for me also and for the team.
“It’s always nice to come here and come back and to see where you were in one year or two years before.
“It’s nothing different or something. It’s just another game.”
Rodgers wants his players to take their game to the next level. Not an easy task in an arena like the Westfalenstadion.
But Engels added: “You always need to have the winning mentality I think.
“Everybody in our squad has this and that makes us really strong actually. It’s a strong opponent of course.
“Everybody knows Borussia Dortmund.
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“They play the final so it’s not something you reach of being another good team. It’s going to be a tough match but we are ready for it so we will see.
“I think it’s the same venue as in Celtic Park so it’s nothing really different for us. We just need to focus on ourselves, focus on the job and I think we will do good then.”
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