Klimala tries to pile on pounds
CELTIC striker Patryk Klimala has revealed that he has spent lockdown trying to bulk up his physique – after struggling to compete in training sessions at Lennxotown last season.
The Polish forward was unable to make a significant impact in the matches that he featured in after joining the Scottish champions from Jagiellonia Bialystok in his homeland in January.
However, the £3.5m signing has admitted that coming up against Christopher Jullien on a daily basis had convinced him to hit the gym since the coronavirus outbreak in March.
Speaking to Celtic TV in France, where Neil Lennon’s side take on Nice in a pre-season friendly this evening, the 21-yearold expressed hope his new-found strength will make a real difference in the 2020/21 campaign.
“I had talked about going to the gym because when I fight on the pitch with Chris Jullien for example, it was really hard,” he said. “I didn’t have any chance and that’s why I did this. It’s a lot better, I feel, and hopefully the guys see the same about me.
“Before I came here I knew it would be a difficult six months and it was. I know I don’t play much so now I feel really good, I’m ready, I feel ready to show the fans what I can do.
“I feel comfortable now. I know what [Odsonne] Edouard did last season, I’ve worked hard and hopefully I get a chance to show something more. I spoke with Kendo [John Kennedy], I know what I have to do, why I am here and we will see.”
Klimala has been taking English lessons on a daily basis during lockdown so that he can communicate better with his team mates, but admitted that he can improve further.
He added: “I understand everything, sometimes I have a problem with speaking. I don’t know why, it’s difficult situation, but I do this because I respect the team-mates, the manager, the fans and I can speak with everyone in English and I’m learning every day. I feel better with the language, but hopefully it will get better.”