After witnessing their team shell out a substantial chunk of money for Maik Nawrocki this summer, Celtic supporters would have anticipated that Brendan Rodgers would select the Polish defender first overall.
Sadly, Nawrocki had an injury early in the season, and although he is fully recovered, Rodgers has provided an explanation for why the 22-year-old hasn’t yet been seen wearing a Celtics uniform.
Stephen McGinn, however, is still in disbelief that Rodgers is starting Nat Phillips over Nawrocki despite the fact that the on-loan defender is obviously well behind schedule in terms of health.
“There’s a dramatic drop-off for Celtic without Carter Vickers in the league,” McGinn remarked on The Go Radio Football Show. “I don’t know what the stats are.”
READ ALSO: TRANSFER NEWS: Leicester City Linked with £4 Million-Rated Nephew of UCL Winner
“And what I can’t understand from yesterday is how a short-term loan in Nat Phillips, how can he be much better than Nawrocki. “I’ve watched Legia Warsaw against Aston Villa and I thought they were an excellent side. Really held their own and beat Aston Villa in Poland, deservedly this season.
“But I’m thinking Nawrocki was a big part of that team last season, and I’m thinking a young player they spent a lot of money on how can Nat Phillips be the option other than Nawrocki”
I stated on TBR Celtic yesterday that Rodgers should bench Phillips right away in favor of either Nawrocki or Gustav Lagerbielke.
The Polish defender is regrettably unavailable for this weekend’s Champions League final against Feyenoord, but I would not hesitate to start him against Hearts.
After all, Phillips, whose short-term loan agreement appears to be ending this month, appears to be heading back to Liverpool, so the £4.3 million addition couldn’t really do any worse.
However, given that recent rumors indicate Nawricki might be loaned out in January, perhaps this season under Rodgers has been a success for him. In other news, “Not Capable” Chris Sutton says the £2 million Celtic player doesn’t look quite good enough.
