John Hartson is delighted to hear that summer signing Maik Nawrocki is back in training with Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic after his injury.
It wasn’t so long ago that Celtic’s man in the dugout had several key men out of action at the back and, as a result, he had to knock on Liverpool’s door to get Nat Phillips in until January.
Surprise, surprise, he too ended up picking up a knock because, after making his debut against Dundee, he only lasted 45 minutes and has, in total, only played 152 minutes for the club since (transfermarkt).
As a result, the likes of Liam Scales were handed extra minutes than usual and he has taken it with both hands, including making his Republic of Ireland debut recently – Andy Walker shared how Liam Scales has even impressed a rival Premiership boss.
Either way, summer signing Maik Nawrocki is back on the field and John Hartson thinks that Brendan Rodgers now has ‘good, good options’ to pick from, as he told Go Radio.
And he isn’t wrong because the Celtic boss, who is unbeaten in the league since making a return, has a selection headache ahead of a busy fixture period, including crucial games in the Champions League.
Nonetheless, upon hearing news from Celtic training and Maik Nawrocki, this is what club legend John Hartson made of it all.
Maik Nawrocki returns to training
“It is good news,” said Hartson. “The small time he has been at the club, he has looked quite assured at the back. He picks up a little injury, but it’s good good options.
“You have Liam Scales, who has been brilliant, and Cameron Carter-Vickers is back in the side, so Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke isn’t far away either. He scored (for Sweden).
“For me, it’s a case of he (Rodgers) has got options. He can have a look at it. He can start with two centre-backs and make changes as the game goes on. But it’s not a position, you want to change too often, the two centre-backs.
“But he has got different options and they are different types of centre-backs.”
Maik Nawrocki should be eased in
During the small number of games, the Celtic fans got to see the young Polish star, he looked composed and assured whilst on the pitch – Arthur Boruc provided a positive lowdown on Nawrocki.
But there isn’t any rush to bring him back because of the strength that is ahead of him, no more so than thriving star, Scales.
It would be pretty harsh if Rodgers were to drop him to the bench because, in truth, his performances just don’t merit it.
It also needs to be remembered that Phillips is still in the background and will Rodgers use his experience from now until January?
All in all, with a seven-point lead at the top, this is a headache that many managers from across the world would love to have.
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