Celtic manager Neil Lennon has revealed he is delighted with what he’s seen from Patryk Klimala and Ismaila Soro in training ahead of the new season, speaking in an interview with Celtic TV earlier today.
The duo arrived in the January transfer window but because of the curtailed Scottish Premiership season did not really get the opportunity to make their mark in Lennon’s first-team.
Striker Klimala has returned looking noticeably stronger and recently shared with supporters that he’s packed on 3.5kg of muscle in the off season.
Soro meanwhile is getting stuck into match practice at Loughborough University this week, captured providing a classy assist for Mohamed Elyounoussi on Celtic’s social channels last night.
Lennon was asked about the pair by presenter Gerry McCulloch today and sounds very pleased.
Speaking on Celtic TV, the manager said: “They’re starting to really integrate well. I’m delighted with the both of them.
“While it was just a short turnaround for them when they came in from January to March, they’ve had a good pre-season.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
“Chris Jullien has had his first proper pre-season with us, Boli [Bolingoli] is the same. So hopefully these guys, Moi Elyounoussi as well, will get the benefit of that.”
Curiosity has surrounded Klimala and Soro ever since they arrived in Glasgow and hopes will be high they can hit the ground running at the start of the 2020/21 campaign.
It’s important to remember that both are still young. Klimala is only 21, with Soro not much older at 22.
A change of country, culture and footballing style can’t be easy to deal with, especially in a chaotic first half of the year.
Getting acquainted with their teammates properly and becoming a real part of the squad this pre-season should do wonders for their chances of first-team minutes.