Klimala sets sights on downing former suitors Copenhagen

HAVING knocked back FC Copenhagen to sign for Celtic, Patryk Klimala is looking forward to further disappointing the Danish champions.

The Polish striker completed his £3.5million move from Jagiellonia Bialystok in midweek, insistent that he had no hesitation in rebuffing all other interest once Celtic firmed up their proposal.

Copenhagen boss Stale Solbakken was keen to land the 21-year-old but will instead be making plans to stop him as the two clubs prepare to face each other in the last 32 of the Europa League next month.

‘It’s true there was an offer from Copenhagen on the table,’ confirmed Klimala. ‘But as soon as Celtic came in, I wasn’t considering any of the other clubs.

‘Now, I’m looking forward to playing against Copenhagen.

‘Every player’s dream is to be able to play in the European cups, not only the Europa League but the Champions League too.

‘I would give it the same importance as domestic football. I want to do well in both for Celtic. There is a different atmosphere in the European games, it’s special, and I am looking forward to experiencing that at Celtic Park.’

Should Klimala (below) make an impact on the European stage, his international prospects will surely surge.

Currently an Under-21 cap for Poland, he makes no grand predictions about when, and indeed if, the big breakthrough will arise.

With one of the world’s top marksman currently occupying the main spot in the senior team, he reckons he will have to bide his time.

‘For the time being I am quite happy with my position in the Under-21s,’ he continued. ‘I know it is a long road to get to the full team.

‘Robert Lewandowski is in top form, so I don’t see it happening very soon. I am focusing on the present.

‘If I am going to continue playing as well as I have now that I am with Celtic, hopefully that will open the door for me with the national team in the future.’

With Odsonne Edouard a clear and undisputed first choice for Neil Lennon, Klimala will need to exercise some patience.

The Pole’s arrival could allow Lennon to occasionally deploy two strikers, something Klimala would welcome. Asked whether he could see himself operating in a wider role, he was less enthusiastic.

‘I wouldn’t prefer to play on the wing, I prefer to be in the middle as a striker,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t matter if I play on my own or as part of a pair, I just want to play centrally.

‘I could play with Odsonne Edouard. I would be quite happy with that. I haven’t seen a lot of him but I saw his last game, he played well and scored a goal. He is a really good player.’

Klimala’s arrival had seemed a bad omen for Leigh Griffiths, but the Scotland international started and scored in last night’s Scottish Cup win at Partick Thistle.

Rumours abound that Motherwell and Hibernian retain hopes of taking the Scotland international on loan. After helping him work back towards fitness following the best part of a year out of the game, Lennon expresses no desire to move him on.

‘It’s just speculation at the moment,’ said the Celtic boss. ‘Leigh’s a good player, he had a good week in Dubai, he looks fitter, sharper and quite hungry, so I’m not in a big rush to put him out on loan anywhere.’

As for Vakoun Issouf Bayo, the Ivorian frontman signed during Brendan Rodgers’ final transfer window at the club, Lennon’s outlook is cloudier: ‘Bayo had the long-term injury, so he’s just back training. How far is he away from playing? Maybe another week or so.

‘With those injuries we felt bringing another striker in was important. Klimala we like — he’s got pace and power and, at 21, he’s got a bit of work to do but he’s got real raw talent.

‘All the reports and due diligence was done on him, so it was important we got that one over the line. We have competition there now.

‘We may have to change the way we play sometimes. You can’t have enough good strikers, honestly.’