CELTIC’S January signing Patryk Klimala almost got his first goal up at McDiarmid Park when he came off the bench in the later stages and almost connected with a Greg Taylor cross which would have given him a tap in.
He was unlucky then just as he was yesterday when after fine control and a beautiful through ball from James Forrest, the Polish striker was sent through one on one with the Clyde keeper. Unfortunately a slightly heavy touch reduced his chances and he’ll have to wait a little bit longer to get off the mark.
But he has done enough in the few appearances he’s made, either from the bench or starting for the first time yesterday, to suggest that the money spent bringing him to the club is a shrewd investment.
John Kennedy, the Celtic Assistant Manager, was on media duties after the 3-0 Scottish Cup victory at Broadwood and he was keen to praise the 21 year old new addition to the squad after his debut – which incidentally featured a spelling mistake on his jersey in the first half. These typos can happen – one time we forgot to put the the before the Rangers.
And talking about Clyde, Danny Lennon speaks very well about Celtic in this post-match interview and it’s well worth a listen.
⚪ @ClydeFC‘s Danny Lennon is proud of his team’s effort against Celtic today
🗣 “I’m pleased that the boys have had an opportunity today to go out and play against, in my opinion, the country’s best.” pic.twitter.com/FvosYIzw4t
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) February 9, 2020
Kennedy, on Klimala not Kilmala and certainly not, as Sandman calls him, Klimala Klimax, here’s his Definitive Ratings of the Polish Striker from yesterday’s game and you can read the rest of the ratings HERE, wants us to be patient with the new signing. No worries on that score John.
KLIMALA KLIMAX – 6/10
The home support turned out in their numbers – around 300…’This is Sparta’ – to see first-hand the purveyor of their favourite 70s erotica, many bringing their betamax cassettes for signing. But this unfortunately -monickered Polish porn producer – again, a lurid suggestion sourced from the depraved minds that read my drivel – was granted the most unappetising of first starts – lone striker against a packed defence on a pitch of recycled bin bags. His general play was useful – moving well among them, finding space for the odd half-chance; setting up Broon with a flick; then blowing his big moment when clean through – a result of awareness and pace to get on the end of our best move of the game. Not judging the Bhoy on that one – give him grass, weather for the sane of mind, a strike partner and service, and stand well back.
“He is obviously still settling in, but it was an opportunity to get him out playing,” Kennedy said. “He’s a good size and has good speed, it just takes time,” Kennedy told the Media, as reported by Glasgow Times.
“He did fine. He had a good chance and probably on another day he would score, but he just needs to settle in and not put too much pressure on himself.
“Edouard and Griffiths have been terrific of late, and himself and Bayo have been fighting it out for the third and fourth position.
“We just need to give him time. The intensity of training and the way we work is something he’ll need to get used to, but as time progresses, he’ll get up to speed.
“It’s a step up in level from Poland and there are the demands, the physicality and speed, which takes some adjustment.
“He’s someone we’ll work really hard with, but he’s certainly got the profile to become a good player for us.”
Yesterday could have been a tricky task for Celtic with the possibility of another shock, some reckoned, increased by the wet and windy weather conditions. Kennedy though reckoned the Celtic players took it all in their strides.
“It’s terrific, in terms of professionalism and how they treat these ties, because they are dangerous, and anything can happen,” he said.
“You can have players sent off, things going against you, or just a bad day. But they keep churning out the results. The quality and the mentality of this squad is so strong.
“There is a real will to win every single game in every competition. Long may that continue.
“It was difficult conditions and you ever take any game lightly, so it was good to get through the game comfortably.
“A lot of players got the minutes they needed. and it gave us the chance to rest a few. It was a professional performance.
“It wasn’t easy. The ball was swirling around but the boys were professional. We respected Clyde and still had a strong enough team to win the game convincingly.”
Here’s John Kennedy’s Post Match Interview with Celtic TV…
ALSO ON THE CELTIC STAR THIS MORNING…
Three Away Days on the Road to Hampden and another HCTS Ballot
COMING UP NEXT…CELTIC Historian David Potter on Celtic and St Johnstone’s story so far in Scottish Cup meetings.
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