Celtic defender Maik Nawrocki re-entered the Parkhead fray when he came off the bench in December’s Glasgow derby. It was his first appearance in months, but the Poland internationalist looked like he’d been a consistent starter for weeks.
Since playing his part in securing the pivotal 2-1 victory, Nawrocki has started three out of four Celtic games, reinstating himself to the team amid injury to Cameron Carter-Vickers. The Pole has not looked out of place, either.
He is aiming to go to Euro 2024 with his country but at the minute, Nawrocki’s focus is firmly on Celtic and the title race. The centre-half is used to the pressure at the club given his stint with Legia Warszawa, and it doesn’t faze him.
At just 22, however, the defender is still developing, and there are a few players in the team that he idolises and looks up to, both of whom he name-dropped recently: “It’s encouraging to look around the dressing room and see the experienced players that are here”, he said (RecordSport).
“Most of them were here last season and won the Treble so they’re used to it. I look up to guys like Joe Hart and Callum McGregor, who are so experienced.”
Having players with the gyle and experience that Hart and McGregor possess is crucial, particularly at Celtic where winning trophies is inherent to everything done. Both players know what it means to bring home the bacon.
Passing this knowledge on to the younger generation of talent coming through, such as Nawrocki, helps keep up this winning mentality that has been central to the club since its formation.
