Maik Nawrocki’s injury frustrations continue at Hannover 96

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The Celtic Star

·30 September 2025

Maik Nawrocki’s injury frustrations continue at Hannover 96

Almost three months after Maik Nawrocki’s transfer to Hannover 96, he has yet to feature in a competitive match for the German club in what is proving to be the loan of all nightmares…

Maik Nawrocki in the Celtic celebrations. Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 14 May 2025. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The 24-year-old signed with Hannover in early July with the German second division club offering an ideal stage to regain form and confidence, but injury issues quickly hindered his development.

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The injury setback kept Nawrocki sidelined for the season’s opening matches, including Hannover’s early DFB-Pokal exit against Energie Cottbus.

The Polish defender missed the first four league matches entirely, failing to make even the bench – while Hannover carried on without him – leaving Nawrocki to watch from the sidelines. The limited playing time has only deepened the frustration for a player who had been seeking consistency following a turbulent two years in Glasgow.

Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership 29/03/2025. Maik Nawrocki of Celtic during the match at Celtic Park, on 29 March 2025. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie PSI

There had been a minor breakthrough, as earlier this month Nawrocki earned some important playing time in a friendly match against Hamburger SV. The Celtic-loanee was in the starting lineup and featured in the first half before being substituted at half-time in a 3-1 friendly victory, marking his debut appearance in Hannover colours despite it not being a competitive match.

It remains uncertain if that appearance will kickstart his return to regular involvement within their squad. Nawrocki was signed to add experience and bolster Hannover’s defensive options, yet he has not been able to make an impact so far.

Both Hannover and Celtic will be keeping a close eye on his situation and will be hoping that Nawrocki’s competitive debut comes soon, rather than adding another disappointing chapter to his career.

2025.07.26 Gdansk Pilka nozna PKO BP Ekstraklasa sezon 2025/2026 Lechia Gdansk – Lech Poznan N/z Luis Palma Foto Piotr Matusewicz / PressFocus 2025.07.26 Gdansk Football Polish PKO BP Ekstraklasa season 2025/2026 Lechia Gdansk – Lech Poznan Luis Palma Credit: Piotr Matusewicz / PressFocus/NEWSPIX.PL — newspix.pl

His time at Celtic is clearly up. The inevitable is coming next summer when he will be sold permanently. The same can be said for Luis Palma. The summer transfer window of 2023 was disastrous and the club are still paying heavily for it.

Yang at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Of all the signings brought in during that ill-considered transfer window in between Ange Postecoglou leaving and Brendan Rodgers taking over the decision making, only Yang has managed to remain in the Celtic first team plans and that’s only because of current boardroom failings this summer prevented him from completing his transfer to Birmingham City.

Conor Spence

Chris Sutton on Daizen Maeda’s form – Continues on the next page…

Chris Sutton offers explanation for Daizen Maeda’s Celtic form

Daizen Maeda of Celtic & Jordan Obita of Hibernian. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership,Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda has been defended by Chris Sutton against the rhetoric that he has downed tools. The Japanese international revealed during the last international break that he had been close to leaving the club in the summer but Celtic blocked his departure.

Speaking to the Warm Up podcast, Sutton dismissed the suggestion that last season’s Player of the Year had downed tools, instead suggesting he had struggled with a change in position.

Daizen Maeda celebrates after scoring at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“I don’t think it’s fair on him to say he’s downed tools,” said Sutton. “I think it’s more, he’s a player who started this season, the central striking role is one which he finds more difficult than playing off one of the wide areas.

“That’s affected him, and people will be sort of putting two and two together and getting five.”

The player should have been sold as part of an efficient trading model, allowing Celtic to maximise their value on the attacker. Regrettably, players were not brought into the club in a timely fashion. It appears that Celtic have eventually got a replacement on the left in the door in the form of Seb Tounekti. Although, the centre forward position was understaffed, resulting in the player remaining.

Daizen Maeda scores for Celtic at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Maeda’s only goal in the league this season came in the win over Kilmarnock, in which his diving header opened the scoring. The player celebrated with the Celtic supporters behind the goal, pointing to the badge. He also scored against Falkirk in the Premier Sports Cup.

Lubo98

Danny McGrain, David Potter & Willie Fernie – what a combination!

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now, order your copy at Celticstarbooks.com

We’re certainly Putting on the Style with the new promotion from Celtic Star Books. David Potter’s final book – Celtic in the Eighties – has been selling wonderfully well since its launch earlier this month. It is by far our fastest-ever seller. Order one of the last remaining copies of Celtic in the Eighties and Danny McGrain will sign it for you PLUS you’ll receive a copy of David Potter’s wonderful book on Willie Fernie as a free gift.

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain has now agreed to sign the final batch of Celtic in the Eighties. Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com/shop and we’ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny and a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last, from Wednesday of this week (Danny is signing the books on Tuesday evening).

Celtic 3-0 St Mirren, Scottish Premier League, Celtic Park, 15 May 1982.Celtic captain Danny McGrain collects the championship trophy as Roy Aitken looks on. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Please note that postage will only be charged on ONE book.

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.