The latest report that Celtic are prepared to allow Maik Nawrocki to leave this summer should not come as a surprise.
If anything, it simply confirms what Celtic’s team selections have been telling supporters for the best part of two years.
Nawrocki arrived at Celtic with plenty of promise, but he never established himself as a regular starter. Regardless of injuries, suspensions or fixture congestion, Brendan Rodgers consistently turned to other defensive options ahead of the Polish centre-back.
That is why the latest report feels more like the final step in a process than a major transfer development.
Maik Nawrocki’s Hannover 96 loan spell has ended. What next?
Nawrocki missed out on promotion with Hannover
Rodgers made his feelings clear about Nawrocki long ago
Managers ultimately reveal their opinions through selection decisions, not words. In Nawrocki’s case, the evidence has been difficult to ignore.
Despite showing flashes of quality during his Celtic career, the defender consistently found himself on the fringes of the squad.
That left him struggling for regular opportunities and facing an increasingly uncertain future at the club.
There was always a sense that if Rodgers truly viewed Nawrocki as a long-term solution, he would have received a sustained run in the team at some stage. That opportunity never arrived.
For that reason, the idea of a permanent departure feels logical rather than controversial.
Nawrocki’s Hannover loan raises questions on Celtic’s decision
The defender’s loan move to Hannover 96 changed the conversation around his future.
Regular football allowed Nawrocki to rebuild momentum and remind people of the qualities that persuaded Celtic to sign him in the first place. It also strengthened the case for a permanent move away from Parkhead.
If a player is unlikely to feature prominently at Celtic, keeping him at the club serves little purpose. Equally, Nawrocki needs regular minutes at this stage of his career.
However, the big Polish defender enjoyed some good form at Hannover so that begs the question, with confidence high and regular game time under his belt, should Celtic give Nawrocki another chance?
Supporters may wonder exactly that, but the reality is that Celtic appear to have made their decision long ago. The reported willingness to let him leave simply reflects that reality.
A permanent exit may still be the most likely outcome. However, Nawrocki’s form in Germany means Celtic supporters are entitled to wonder whether the club ever truly saw the best of a player they invested heavily to sign.
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