Brendan’s ‘personality’ advice for Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke…

Liam Scales and Gustaf Lagerbielke are the only two fit central defenders we have at the moment

Brendan Rodgers today gave an update on forgotten summer signings Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke and it made for an interesting discussion.

The Celtic manager said that both summer signings are fully fit but must prove their worth in training if they are to warrant a starting slot. Rodgers talked about ‘personality’ as a key component that players must show in training in order to influence him in his thinking.

He also points to Liam Scales coming into the side and when given his chance the Irishman has grabbed it with both hands. Rodgers admitted that the central defensive pairing are the positions he is least likely to change in his teams so with Scales on the left and Cameron Carter-Vickers on the right and for the time being Nat Phillips as the back-up, it looks like the summer signings will just have to bide their time, impress in training and when their chance comes along as it surely will, then grab it in the same manner that Scales did this season.

There’s nothing wrong with Brendan’s explanation on Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke failing to make his match squads at the moment. I suppose as every single member of the squad has to prove their worth to be a first team regular, but considering we splashed out a combined £6 million for their services just a few months ago it makes you wonder what’s going on in the recruitment department.

Gustaf Lagerbielke of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League match between Feyenoord and Celtic FC at Feyenoord Stadion de Kuip on September 19, 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Photo VI ANP Sport Jeroen Putmans

Brendan said: “It’s always personality. There are clearly players ahead of them. What always ticks my attention is training, I’m out there every day watching training and when I see players train and work with that personality they will edge closer to my thinking.

“Unfortunately, for Maik and Gustaf, Scales has come to the team and has really taken his opportunity. Nat Phillips has been a great positive influence. It’s an area of the team you don’t want to change too much.”

However when we are shopping for both players in the summer transfer window the belief was that Scales would be surplus to requirements and would most likely be heading back to Aberdeen, where he enjoyed a successful loan spell last season.

Maik Nawrocki during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie on 13 August 2023. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI

Even more bizarre is that Nawrocki looked decent in his first few games before injury, and Lagerbielke has been playing for Sweden at international level, so it’s not as if they are ‘project’ players.

Considering we only have Cameron Carter Vickers, Liam Scales and the on loan Nat Phillips available, it’s rather strange that at least on of these boys is not getting a place on the bench. The longer they remain out of the squad, the more questions will be asked and both players may well seek a conversation with the manager about their futures.

However it’s down to the manager to make these calls, select his match day squad and remember it’s always his head that on the line as so many managers have found out. It happened to Brendan Rodgers last season at Leicester City so he certainly knows the score.

Watch Brendan Rodgers’ media conference from earlier this afternoon below, ahead of Wednesday night’s Scottish Premiership match against Hibs at Celtic Park.