Celtic confirmed the signing of German-born Poland youth international central defender Maik Nawrocki (22) this morning. The player emerged through the Werder Bremen youth system and featured only seven times before going on loan two weeks after his 20th birthday to Warta Poznan in the Polish topflight.
He spent half a season at Warta where he made only two starts and one substitute appearance before Legia Warsaw made their move and took him on loan for the 2021-22 season. Still 20, this was his breakthrough season and Legia made the transfer permanent last summer. The player has made 43 starts and four substitute appearances in senior football, well below our typical harvesting point in the mid-60s.
Zbyszek, our man in Warsaw, firmly endorsed him. Maik is “great in the air…. Focussed on the game… Good at passing through the lines”. Legia were fending off bids for him from Galatasaray that were close to double what we paid them for Josip Juranovic two years ago, indicating how much more they value Maik.
And wait for it……….. he’s two footed.
Our settled central defensive pairing has a clear hierarchy. Cameron Carter-Vickers rivals the great Virgil in status, while Carl Starfelt sits somewhere beneath the clouds. This is harsh on Carl. Both players are right footed, but Carl carries the burden of playing on the left, presumably because this suits the pair’s merits and weaknesses.
With Cameron not yet match fit, I would expect to see Maik on the left in the games against Wolves and Athletic Bilbao, allowing Carl to play on his natural side. Brendan Rodgers has not worked with any of these players. It will be interesting to see who he selects for the important games in September we discussed earlier.
Virgil was a week shy of his 22nd birthday and had started 50 matches when he joined Celtic. Maybe the sweet spot for central defenders is a little lower than mid-60s.
Welcome to Celtic, Maik.
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JimTim
There is a President of the SFA in place who is at least as well disposed toward Celtic as Rangers. That’s only the 3rd in 40 years.
It is not an executive position but it does carry some weight. Despite being originally from Alloa the guy in question is also pretty capable and not just some old guy out to grass.
How many SPFL games have Sevco played without a penalty being awarded against them?
Also, how many have they been awarded in that time?
Finally, what are tha stats for Celtic over the same period?
Anyone know?
Call me Gerry
I get it is not important but I really do hope we get a decent turnout next week For Bilbao.
You didn’t answer my question though as to why 120,000 (only 29,000 last night, I stand corrected) turned up for first 3 rangers friendlies and we appear to be struggling to get 35,000 for our only one despite us having a new top level manager and 5 new signings on the back of a treble.
On the plus side the 120,000 who have watched their games will have seen how poor they are. A defeat in Germany at weekend will see the fear set in early. That is for sure. The tav pen streak continues to be their only hope.
I did find this:
`January 2022 was the last time the Ibrox side conceded a penalty in the Premiership `
Hot Smoked
The answer won’t be something that you will read in the MSM any time soon !
It’s quite incredible. Almost as incredible as last nights award by McLean.
We best get used to blatant diving as we will see plenty of it next season. Talking of which :
– They will be awarded more penalties than us with particular emphasis on hand balls.
– They will concede fewer penalties than us with hand balls again featuring prominently.
– They will get fewer yellow cards than us.
– We will receive more red cards than them.
– They will, over the season, have fewer fouls awarded against them than we do.
So they will have the benefit of the above and will be diving all over the park, not just in the box. Quite ridiculous but that’s Scozia.
Three penalties in four pre season games
Talking about Rangers penalties, they have been awarded a penalty by Scottish refs in each of their three friendlies so far.
Bournesouprecipe
I hadn’t read your post before making mine. Didn’t know they had played four friendlies.
BURNLEY78 on 27TH JULY 2023 9:59 AM
The word `soon` was surplus to requirements :-))
“BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 27TH JULY 2023 10:04 AM
Three penalties in four pre season games”
Were all the refs Scottish?
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 27TH JULY 2023 10:12 AM
…and I hadn`t read yours before posting mine :-)))
HOT SMOKED on 27TH JULY 2023 10:15 AM
🤣
Incidentally, I feel the Club would be slaughtered in Scotland if they dared highlight the Huns` penalty stats. I feel it is up to ALL blogs to point out the `surprising` stats.
Cheerio for now.
Not only Scottish but former mascots 👍
New signing Big Mick Nawrocki might take some time adapting to our Asian culture.
Threesie ……………. aff oot
@Burnley .If you referring to Mulraney…..I don’t recall reading or hearing anything from him
in the last 4 years??Silence of the lambs……
And we know from last season var isn’t the answer, despite clear evidence of handballs it’s ignored.
SCULLYBHIY at 7:41 & PCS
Also OLD TIM’S first game
Hope you’re well, Davie
Hearing Vata might go to Aberdeen on loan
Give Aberdeen nothing no Scales Vata or anyone else.
Glasgow Evening News 1995
“I hear Celtic are beating Aberdeen 2-0 at Pittodrie”
How do you know?
“TULLY VISION”
OK OK I’LL GET MY COAT😐
Dessybhoy
On a practical level the fact they can’t play against us but can strengthen their side against other opposition isn’t a bad thing.
They have cut our allocation give them nada.
Burnley 78
Bizarre comparison (or criticism) of the Celtic support given we haven’t had a friendly at Parkhead this season. Sevco need all the money they can get, no change there.
Friendlies are maybe more attractive when you’re winning hee haw, in the real world as it gives you another chance to see your team beating somebody, anybody.
As for testimonials in today’s world of fantasy money they’re totally unnecessary, maybe a lot of Celtic supporters recognise that. They used to be a thank you, in the days of Jimmy Johnstone or Bobby Lennox, but they’re played out except for the Charity aspect.
Bobby Charlton’s testimonial at Old Trafford,back in the day had 60,000. Celtic are the original big draw and always will be for fans turning up.
Good morning all from the Penny Farthing. Football and horse bets on, time for a wander around my kingdom.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NpFMgh0QcD8&pp=ygUeY2hhaXJtYW4gb2YgdGhlIGJvYXJkIGRyZWFtaW4g
Does embdy know if the Sports Bar will be open before the Jamesie game?
Drambowiecelt
I think he is only just in the role a matter of weeks.
JIMTIM
Are you seriously demanding that Celtic lodge a complaint with the SFA/SPFL about the standard of refereeing in a pre-season friendly between Rangers and Olympiacos?
I’ve heard it all now.
I wonder if there is a correlation between the Huns being at their July Orange staunchiest (games amidst the parades) + pre-season bravado with no real games played + puff pieces in MSM about their galacticos?
The problem with that heightened testosterone, irrational feeling, is that it’s a long way to drop when they have a setback. The difference on season predictions before and after their game last night on FF was bipolar.
They look a mess on the field way beyond newbies arriving. No identity in their game and a defence that remains a shambles.
HH
new article posted.