Mike Trusson, the scout that recommended Patryk Klimala to Celtic, reckons the club didn’t do enough to give him the chances to succeed in Scotland.
Trusson was a European scout at the Bhoys under Nick Hammond last year before leaving for a coaching opportunity at Sheffield Wednesday.
He was instrumental in the decision to bring Klimala to Scotland from Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok.
The 62-year-old told The Sunday Mail [05/07 print edition, page 65]: “Klimala was playing first-team football regularly in Poland and scoring goals. He’s quick, plays on the shoulder, is athletic, can stretch teams.
“The main front boys at Celtic wanted it to feet whereas he offered an alternative with the pace to stretch and run teams in behind. That’s difficult at Celtic because, generally in Scotland, teams sit deeper so there isn’t that space. So he had to work on the technical side and linking play.
“But if Celtic weren’t going to play him, he needed to go out on loan. I know there were Championship teams willing to take him and allow him to potentially develop and come back a better player for Celtic.
“Look, I was a big part of signing him. He had a fair amount of criticism. But what opportunities did he really get? He didn’t get a run of games. So he was assessed on little bits and pieces, 15 minutes as a sub here, 20 minutes there. And if he made a mistake in that time, he was out.
“So how does he progress technically, physically and in fitness so that he can perform in the way you want him to perform?”
Celtic knew what they were getting with Patryk Klimala – so why the waste of time?
It’s a fair point, but the comments also beg the question – if Trusson knew it would be difficult for him to adapt to Celtic’s style of play in Scotland, why was he recommended? Indeed, why did the manager at the time and the club sign off on the transfer?
It’s always been a point made by supporters – that he was simply ill-suited to the Bhoys. It seems there is accuracy in that assessment.
Ultimately Celtic made their money back on the deal with a sale to New York Red Bulls, so there’s no great harm done. Trusson also believes that Klimala can return to Europe and make a splash.
The Polish striker has scored one goal and assisted four times in seven MLS appearances, so he’s finding his feet across the Atlantic.
The whole thing was a waste of time from our perspective. Hopefully our scouts and coaching staff are more in alignment this summer.
In other news, 3 burning Celtic questions that will be answered on Wednesday.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
