The ink has barely dried on Maik Nawrocki’s four-year deal at Lens and already the French club are talking up the former Celtic defender.
Nawrocki left Celtic to join Lens permanently after a miserable two years in Glasgow saw him make just 18 appearances in the green and white Hoops.
But now in France, Lens sporting director Jean-Louis Leca’s verdict at signing Nawrocki could embarrass Celtic next season.
A big dig at Celtic here! 👀
Should Martin O'Neill have given Nawrocki a chance at Celtic?
Lens have identified everything Celtic failed to use in Maik Nawrocki
Lens wasted no time in talking up Nawrocki as Leca told their supporters why they brought the big Pole to Ligue 1.
Leca told Lens’ official website, “Maik is a tough, man-marking defender who understands the demands of a three-man defense and can fit into our playing style thanks to his ball control.
“He’s imposing with his physique and will bring both his athleticism and aerial prowess to the team. His understanding of French, his excellent attitude, and the presence of Michał (Skóraś) in the squad will make his first steps easier.
“At 25, he still has significant room for improvement, and we believe in his ability to develop with us under a coaching staff who appreciate his profile.
“Maik has experienced some particularly intense atmospheres throughout his career, and he will undoubtedly thrive in the Bollaert environment. Welcome, Maik!”
Lens have described a modern centre-back who is suited to both Scottish football and Celtic’s need to dominate possession.
Celtic supporters rarely got the chance to see that because Nawrocki never got a decent run of games to prove what he could do.
Injuries disrupted his start at the club, but Celtic’s handling after that stopped Nawrocki from building rhythm, trust or defensive partnerships.
Maik Nawrocki’s Celtic failure was not his alone
Celtic paid £4.5m to sign a defender who had already impressed in Poland and competed in European football and then failed to give him a chance to prove himself.
The club simply cannot continue to pay huge fees for players and then discard them without giving them an opportunity.
Lens’ feelings on Nawrocki are perfectly clear. They immediately point out his strengths, potential and how their coaching staff can improve him.
That statement alone is damaging for Celtic. Lens appear to have a defined role for Nawrocki before he has even played.
Should he establish himself in Ligue 1, his success will expose another expensive Parkhead failure that Celtic could have avoided.
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