FORSTER TRANSFER BOOST FOR CELTS
SAYS DARIUSZ DZIEKANOWSKI
CELTIC have been given fresh hope in their fight to re-sign Fraser Forster – with Chelsea set to focus on Jan Oblak. The former Hoops loanee is on
DARIUSZ DZIEKANOWSKI knows the importance of making the right impression in pre-season with Celtic after being mocked in his first runout – by the man who signed him.
The Polish hitman went on to become a hero in the Hoops.
But he admits he didn’t quite live up to Billy McNeill’s expectations in a bounce game in Germany shortly after his £600,000 move from Legia Warsaw in 1989. Dziekanowski knuckled down to prove the coaches were right to take a chance on him and went on to become top scorer at Parkhead in his debut season.
Now he reckons compatriot Patryk Klimala must do likewise – minus the false starts – as he looks to make the most of the opportunity presented by Leigh Griffiths’ absence from the trip to Lyon. Neil Lennon and his squad head to Rhone-Alps region for the Veolia Trophy today without striker Griffiths who has been banished to Lennoxtown for failing to meet fitness levels after lockdown.
In contrast Klimala has returned looking lean and mean and with a point to prove after his £3.5m move from Jagiellonia Bialystok in January.
The second striker role is up for grabs and Dziekanowski said: “Patryk will be a good player for Celtic. But it is really up to him – his motivation, hunger, his quality and how quickly he learns about Scottish football.
“He has a chance now and I hope he understands what a big opportunity Celtic is. He must take his game to a special level because Celtic is a huge club. They have paid big money to give him an opportunity and he must do everything to pay them back. I remember we went on a training camp to Germany shortly after I signed. After the first friendly game I was substituted and I remember hearing Billy McNeill turn to his coach on the bench and ask, ‘Who bought Dziekanowski because he
can’t jump?’
“He blamed his colleague but then the coach turned round and said, ‘Hey Billy, you bought him – you brought him here!’
“That’s when they realised I was not typical of a No.9 who would be jumping and just playing off crosses from the wings and scoring with my head. I was different. “I brought something different and liked it played into my feet. Thankfully I worked hard and it went okay after that. So Patryk must learn to use his natural ability and give the signs of how his colleagues must play into him to use his talent – how it best suits the whole team.
“He is physical and I hope he shows that as well as using his speed and movement. He has to be very busy outside the area and looking to link up.
“It’s important he doesn’t just try to copy Odsonne Edouard. Neil Lennon will want something different from his attackers.
“It shouldn’t matter if Celtic play one or two strikers. If Klimala wants to be in the team then he has to prove he can do either.
“Of course he can play out wide and support a main striker and do lots of good work outside the box. But if he is given the No.9 role then he has the physical presence and pace to do that.
“Patryk is suited to Scottish football and if he works hard, gets into good shape and puts in good performances then Celtic supporters will get behind him.”
Klimala managed only three sub appearances and a Scottish Cup start against Clyde before the season was brought to a halt. He is still waiting for his first goal in Scottish football but Lennon has praised the 21-year-old for his impact in the early part of pre-season, saying he has integrated well with the squad and is in good shape.
Now with the manager onside, Dziekanowski reckons it’s time for Poland Under-21 star Klimala to take his game to the next level and become a headline act for club and country.
The 57-year-old said: “In Poland we have Lewandowski, Milik and various others ahead of Patryk. So at Under-21 level he must be a leader of the team.
“If you cannot show you are one of the best at that age group then you won’t have the chance to play for Celtic because they are full of international players.
“We always have Lewandowski on the front page in Poland.
“Patryk just now is the small print but we hope he gives us the chance to make him the headline.
“But first he must do well this season at Celtic. Not just one game but for a number of matches.
“I have good memories of Celtic, I watch them from afar. I hope Patryk Klimala will do well this season and help the team in Europe and of course as they try to win another title.”
Patryk has to be very busy outside the area and looking to link up DARIUSZ DZIEKANOWSKI ON FELLOW POLE KLIMALA