MAIK NAWROCKI wants to be a big noise at Celtic after becoming Brendan Rodgers’ fifth pre-season signing.
The towering Polish centre-back sealed his anticipated five-year deal from Legia Warsaw yesterday – and he can’t wait to get started in his new home.
Nawrocki is particularly looking forward to Champions League nights at Parkhead after admitting he was “shocked” after taking his first look at the stadium.
The 22-year-old defender is aware of the passion and frenzy of these memorable occasions under the lights in the east end of Glasgow and he recalled words from Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos after the Spanish giant’s appearance in September last year.
PRAYING FOR THE JERSEY…Maik Nawrocki hopes to be a huge success at Celtic.
The ground was rocking for an hour before Ange Postecoglou’s men were hit by three sucker-punches as the-then European masters rallied after being on the back-foot for most of the match.
Nawrocki said: “When I came I was shocked how big the stadium is. It’s all quiet now, but I hope to hear it loud.
“I saw the famous quote from Toni Kroos when he said it was the loudest place that he ever was. I remembered that.
“The nights here at Celtic Park in the Champions League will be amazing. But it’s not only about that – it’s about the league, as well.”
Quizzed on playing for a club that is expected to win every game, Nawrocki, speaking to The Scottish Sun, answered: “I came from Legia – the biggest club in Poland – where there’s pressure.
“It’s not pressure, it’s more excitement for me to be at the biggest club in the country and to have the pressure to win.
“It’s maybe just a little bigger at this club because of the Champions League.
“It’s the next step for my career and I think it’s a good place for that.
GETTING SHIRTY…Maik Nawrocki proudly grasps his new jersey.
“Brendan Rodgers is a very good coach – everyone knows he’s a legend in Great Britain.
“He called to welcome me yesterday and we’ll speak more tomorrow.”
Nawrocki is the Irishman’s fifth signing in recent weeks and was paraded at the champion’s training HQ at Lennoxtown alongside South Korean double-act Yang Hyun-jun and Kwon Hyeon-kyu.
He is also the fifth player to make the switch from Legia to Glasgow following Josip Juranovic, Artur Boric, Dariusz Wdowczyk and Dariusz Dziekanowski.
The German-born former Poland Under-21 stopper is standing by to make his first appearance in the friendly against Wolves at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday.
