What does arrival of Nawrocki mean for Welsh, Scales, Lawal & Kobayashi?

Celtic’s fifth summer signing was finally announced today, and Maik Nawrocki looks every inch the centre-half we’ve been waiting for.

A fee of £4.3 million has been paid to Legia Warsaw in what became the fifth incoming transaction between the two clubs over the years. Our new number 17 follows such cult icons as Dariusz ‘Jacki’ Dziekanowski, Dariusz Wdowczyk and Artur Boruc, as well as the recently departed Josip Juranovic.

The 22-year-old was handed a 5-year deal, but what does the Pole’s arrival mean for fellow central defenders Stephen Welsh. Liam Scales, Bosun Lawal and Yuki Kobayashi?

Stephen Welsh

Welsh made 30 appearances over two years under Ange Postecoglou, but he only featured in six games last season.

The 23-year-old is at a crossroads in his career. Will Brendan Rodgers show some faith in him, or will he be regarded as Celtic’s fifth-choice centre-half this season?

I feel he is only above Bosun Lawal and Liam Scales in the current pecking order, and if further interest materialises from previous suitors Hellas Verona, Udinese or Toulouse, Welsh should be allowed to leave the building.

Liam Scales

Unless there are a spate of injuries, Scales won’t get a first-team jersey ahead of Carter-Vickers, Starfelt or Nawrocki.

Having made nearly 40 appearances last season for Aberdeen, the Irishman will need to follow that up with a similar output, otherwise he could stagnate in that non-playing wilderness between Celtic’s first and B teams.

A permanent transfer would be better for Celtic, but the main interested party, Aberdeen, are unlikely to meet the £500,000 asking price.

Bosun Lawal

Lawal has now been at the club for two years and, having made his first-team debut last season, it is important that his development continues under Brendan Rodgers.

There has been speculation surrounding a move back down south for the Ireland Under-21 cap, but a year-long loan would be best all round.

Yuki Kobayashi

Kobayashi failed to impress last season in his seven appearances, resulting in him being unceremoniously dropped for the Scottish Cup final.

I wouldn’t have thought we’d be in a hurry to move Yuki on, not with him signing a five-year deal in November, but he must improve on what he served up last season.

Hopefully Brendan Rodgers will be able to rebuild the player’s confidence and draft him in for minutes where the opportunity allows.

 

 

 

In summary, Maik Nawrocki’s arrival will add more of a challenge to Carl Starfelt, who has built a solid partnership with Cameron Carter-Vickers over the last two seasons. Yuki Kobayashi should be used as back-up, whilst Liam Scales and Stephen Welsh should be moved on, with Bosun Lawal going out on loan.

We’ve had three signing announcements this week already, taking our summer total to five. By the time the window closes, I’d be hoping for at least another three.

Although the first four arrivals have bags of potential, I would expect just one or two of them to establish themselves in Brendan Rodgers’ starting XI in the coming months. The others will be allowed to develop at their own pace and may not make an impact until 2024.

Nawrocki, however, seems a different player entirely. Bought for first-team selection immediately, the Pole will then need to fight it out with Starfelt for a jersey once Carter-Vickers returns.

The remaining signings this summer, and I’d expect at least three, should be in the mould of the former Legia Warsaw stopper – first-team ready.

PAUL JOHN DYKES