They were Celtic's marquee summer signings. Almost a year later they were both being hauled off at Hampden.
As the Hoops struggled against Aberdeen in Saturday's cup final, dominating possession but not doing a lot with it before conceding a late equaliser, Adam Idah and Arne Engels were both subbed off as Brendan Rodgers tried to get things going.
Ultimately, those decisions didn't spark anything and then went on to heartbreakingly lose on penalties.
The club's record signing, £11m man Engels, was taken off for Luke McCowan after 65 minutes while Idah was replaced by unproven youngster Johnny Kenny a bit later on.
Tam McManus reckons it was a pointed message from the manager to the board ahead of the summer window.
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Speaking on PLZ Soccer, he said: "I think they (Celtic) have played really good football up to a point - that was Bayern Munich away, and I don't think they have since then.
"I think after that they have thought 'we are going to win the league, we will probably win the cup' and there has been a real drop off in performance levels, hunger, everything that culminated (against Aberdeen).
"I think there is a big summer ahead. Kieran Tierney is coming in which could be a fantastic signing if he keeps himself fit, he is a tremendous left-back and definitely better than what they have got.
"They are going to have to sign another two or three, and that is going to cost money - £10million players.
"I thought taking Engels and Idah off - £20million - in a cup final is telling. Brendan Rodgers - it's a message to the Celtic board.
"You paid £20million for two players, and you are bringing a kid on Johnny Kenny? Hmm."
