Maik Nawrocki’s move to Celtic came too soon, says former manager

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The Celtic Star

·8 Juli 2025

Maik Nawrocki’s move to Celtic came too soon, says former manager

Udinese manager Kosta Runjaic believes Celtic loanee Maik Nawrocki is poised to make a big impact at Hannover 96 in Bundesliga 2…

Maik Nawrocki trägt ab sofort das 96-Trikot. (Foto: 96/Redaktion)

However, Runjaic feels the Polish defender may have joined Celtic before he was completely ready for a move to a Champions League club. Nawrocki has now sealed a loan switch to Hannover, who hold the option to make the 24-year-old’s move permanent next summer should he impress.

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German coach Runjaic was the manager of Legia Warsaw when the club sanctioned Nawrocki’s £4.3 million transfer to Celtic two years ago. He has expressed confidence that Nawrocki will show his true potential back in Germany.

“Perhaps his move to Celtic came a bit too early for him”

Speaking in The Herald, Runjaic said: “Perhaps his move to Celtic came a bit too early for him. But I trust him to make a big impression in the second division of German football. He is a very good guy, calm on the ball and he is very technically adept, he has a good passing game and is powerful in the air.”

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

“I would assume he has matured a lot at Celtic in Scottish football. He can play in a back four or a back three. He has potential and I would expect Hannover to exercise their purchase option in a year.”

The 24-year-old struggled to win over Brendan Rodgers, featuring only 18 times and scoring once over two seasons with Celtic, with just five appearances coming in the most recent campaign. The Hoops are now in the market for defensive reinforcements with Nawrocki’s exit confirmed and Gustaf Lagerbielke set to head to Braga on a permanent deal.

Stephen Welsh, defender of KV Mechelen controls the ball during the Jupiler Pro League match between KV Mechelen and KAA Gent on February 7, 2025 in Mechelen, Belgium, 07 02 2025 Mechelen. Photo Nico Vereecken

Stephen Welsh’s future at the club is also in doubt with KV Mechelen expected to come back in for the Celtic academy graduate following a fairly successful loan spell in Belgium during the second half of last season.

Rodgers revealed on Friday that new signing Hayato Inamura could be loaned straight back out. This could leave just Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Auston Trusty occupying the centre-back spots, which signals one or maybe more new arrivals over the coming weeks for the central defence positions.

RC Celta de Vigo v UD Las Palmas – La Liga EA Sports Scott McKenna of UD Las Palmas plays during the La Liga EA Sports match between RC Celta de Vigo and UD Las Palmas at Estadio Abanca Balaidos in Vigo, Spain, on March 31, 2025. Vigo Pontevedra Spain Photo Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey

The latest name to be linked with a move to Celtic is Scott McKenna but he is the third player linked in the past few days following on from Justin De Haas and Etienne Youte.

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