Mind Your Language – Why Respectful Patryk Klimala is No Marian Shved

THERE is a real significance in today’s interview by Gerry McCulloch on Celtic TV with Polish striker Patryk Klimala. Gerry is noticeably speaking just a little slower and making sure that the January signing has the best chance possible to understand him.

And Patryk himself is clearly nervous, it’s a big deal for a foreign player in a new country and having just the very basics in the language on arrival to be able to get through what Patryk did today.

And his answers were considered, insightful and probably more revealing that many of the standard chats that will be featured on Celtic TV by the more familiar faces in the first team. The likes of James Forrest or maybe Mikey Johnston don’t really give much away when they do the press interviews. Maybe they prefer to do their talking on the park and that is fair enough but Klimala’s interview was intriguing as he explains why he had to bulk up and the reason why he’s put such an effort – and he has – into learning the language.

Both point to a proper professional who if you add the natural goalscoring talent that he undoubtedly possesses then we could have a really decent player here.

Compare and contrast with Marian Shved who didn’t really show the anywhere near the same level of interest or commitment to learning English with the professional team that Celtic provide and who have worked with so many players over the past decade or so.

Shved’s failing to show what Klimala calls “respect” to the club, the manager, the players and the supporters is probably the reason why he’s not going to be the Celtic Star that those amazing You Tube indicated.

“Firstly, I have to say I feel good. I actually feel better than I did before lockdown,” the Polish striker told Celtic TV. “I worked hard during quarantine and so hopefully I am ready. Now, we’re in Lyon and tomorrow we have our first friendly game. We’ll see how it goes.

“It was a simple decision for me to go to the gym during lockdown. When I was on the pitch with, say, Chris Jullien, for example, it was really hard. I didn’t have any chance – that’s why I wanted to bulk up and I think that it’s better for me. I feel better and hopefully the guys think the same.

“I feel comfortable now. I know what Edouard did last season, but I will work hard and hopefully I’m given a chance to show some more. I spoke to John Kennedy and I know what I have to do, why I’m here, and we will see.

“We are Celtic. We have to, and can, win every game. It’s only a friendly tomorrow, but we have to prove to ourselves and the manager who is the best moving forward into the new season.

“I can tell you, I understand all of the guys, but learning English can be difficult. It’s a difficult situation, but I want to learn English because I respect my team-mates, the manager, the fans. I can speak with everyone now, and I’m still learning every day. I feel good with the language now, but hopefully I can keep getting better.”

Here’s Patryk’s brilliant debut interview on Celtic TV…

Here’s where you can sort out the television pictures for these three French games…

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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