Maik Nawrocki has now earned the Celtic manager’s trust

Maik Nawrocki was named in the starting line up once more on Saturday against Hearts as he started his second successive Scottish Premiership fixture. The big Pole was brought in from the wilderness against theRangers a fortnight ago due to injuries to both left-sided central defenders Auston Trusty and Liam Scales, and he did himself justice despite the failings of more than a few of his teammates.

Nawrocki has been impressive in his two recent appearances

Whilst he wasn’t exactly a stand out, he cleared his lines and dealt with all the basics to the best of his ability, just as he did against the Jambos on Saturday, and that is all we can ask of from a player who has barely kicked a ball this campaign or indeed last year.

It makes it all the more bizarre that he’s been overlooked regularly when he looks so composed and assured when asked to contribute in an emergency. Maybe just maybe Brendan is starting to warm to him, especially when Auston Trusty was available for selection.

Nawrocki moves up the pecking order 

Brendan showed that he appreciated Nawrocki’s efforts in that Derby clash, and possibly sees him playing a more significant role in our aim to clinch the league title, and hopefully, a domestic treble. Nawrocki is right sided and is being kept out of the team by Cameron Carter-Vickers.

When he’s been out injured the manager has opted to play Trusty on the right and Scales on the left of his central pairing in the back four. That could change going forward as Maik Nawrocki has now surely earned the manager’s trust.