Maik Nawrocki showing he has been hard done by. It’s time he was given an extended run to fully prove his worth…
Maik Nawrocki was a ‘surprise’ starter in yesterday’s Glasgow Derby clash at Celtic Park, and whilst the scoreline didn’t go in our favour, the big Polish defender was one of only a few players who could hold their head high.
Nawrocki hasn’t had many minutes on the field this campaign, in fact yesterday was actually his first involvement in the Scottish Premiership this term. Brendan Rodgers has favoured Liam Scales and Auston Trusty as partner to CCV at the expense of Nawrocki, with even Stephen Welsh and Dane Murray seeing more action than the man we splashed out £4.5 million for in the summer of 2023.
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Brendan Rodgers has continually overlooked Nawocki
For one reason or another Brendan Rodgers doesn’t seem to have too much time for the Polish under 21 international, much like his fellow team mate and defensive partner Gustaf Lagerbielke who is currently doing very well on loan to FC Twente in the Eredivisie. Both defenders arrived at the club very much at the same time as part of the summer signing spree ahead of Rodgers taking the reins. Even more bizarrely, neither player has done much wrong when selected to play.
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Gustaf Lagerbielke appears happy in Holland with a summer permanent transfer pending. Maik Nawrocki has waited for his chance with the patience of a saint and despite his lack of game-time stood up to the challenge yesterday better than the rest of our defence and the goalkeeper put together.
Nawrocki deserves a chance
Surely Nawrocki proved yesterday that he more than deserves a shot at fighting for a regular first team spot? Despite a lack of game time he put in whilst not a superb performance, but one that he be very satisfied with. He indeed looked like our most assured defender, and his more experienced partner CCV looked like the one who hadn’t kicked a ball all season?
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Nawrocki has clearly been hard done by at Celtic, and yesterday he showed that he’s been poorly treated at the club in terms of his position within the squad. It’s time he got an extended run to fully prove his worth. He deserves that at the very least from the manager.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
I thought the lad did OK but is soooo right-sided that it’s clear why he wouldn’t usually be selected alongside the equally right-sided CCV. If he has a future at the club – which I’m far from convinced – it would need to be as the back-up to (or replacement for) CCV, not for Trusty or Scales.
Think what stops Rocky (just as it did (Gustaf) is their lack of pace , particularly recovery pace. As we play a high line and press deep into the opponents half, they need to get back quickly when we lose the ball. I see him as the backup to CCV (which may be why he was bought in the first place) rather than a partner, especially as both Scales or Trusty are more comfortable on their left side, which although its a small thing, does help both in defensive and of course when building play (they don´t have to change their body shape so as to receive the ball on their wrong foot, as a predominately right footed player does).