Maik Nawrocki joined Celtic at the same time as Brendan Rodgers returned to the club in 2023.
Despite signing for £4.3 million, Nawrocki would only play 18 matches for Celtic, which included going out on loan last season to German second-tier side Hannover 96, but he has since departed permanently to RC Lens.
On Monday, the Polish defender released a quite interesting Instagram message, saying his goodbyes to Celtic, but not without a few digs.
It shouldn’t be a surprise if Nawrocki is frustrated by how he was treated by the champions of Scotland, because it all started with the man now coaching in the Saudi Pro League.
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What has Maik Nawrocki said after his Celtic exit?
‘Unfortunately, my time at the club has come to an end,’ Nawrocki wrote on his IG post.
‘I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this huge club. To work every day in such a special environment like Celtic, to experience the atmosphere at Celtic Park week by week and to represent this club in one of the biggest derbies in the world is something I will always be thankful for.
‘At the same time, there were moments and decisions that I would have preferred to be handled differently, both on and off the pitch. Nevertheless, I always gave everything I had and tried to help the team whenever I had the chance.
‘A big thank you to all the fans, my teammates and the staff members. I always felt loved and respected by all of you, and I will always be grateful for that. I wish everyone at the club all the best and every success in the future.
‘Thank you for everything, Celts!💚 #hailhail.’
Brendan Rodgers’ treatment of Nawrocki has to be questioned
When Nawrocki stated, ‘there were moments and decisions that I would have preferred to be handled differently,’ you do wonder who he is aiming that at.
The big gripe with Nawrocki is how he was hardly given a chance to prove his worth in Glasgow, and it all started with Rodgers.
It has been well-documented that the departed Celtic coach had issues with the recruitment team and the type of signings that were made.
But the fact of the matter is that Nawrocki was signed for big money under his stewardship.
Yet the 22-year-old, who will play Champions League football next season, only started 12 matches in Glasgow, despite many thinking that he is one of Celtic’s best defenders.
Even now, with Martin O’Neill in the dugout, Frank McAvennie was calling for Nawrocki to be given a chance, but that won’t be the case.
Gustaf Lagerbielke was another signing from that infamous 2023 summer transfer window. His Basel side beat Celtic 3-0 on their way to the Europa League semi-final last season, as well as competing at the 2026 World Cup.
The Swedish star is another player Celtic regret selling, and you fear Nawrocki will be the same.
The issue with Rodgers’ treatment of Nawrocki is the fact that, on many occasions, he hardly made the matchday squad or just sat on the bench rotting.
Remember, this is the same manager that didn’t even give Callum Osmand a single minute last season, yet the supporters are seriously excited to watch him play next term.
Either way, it’s a shame Nawrocki has had to leave this way, because it will now be interesting to see how he fares for Lens in France’s top-tier.
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