Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has made it clear he has “no problems” playing Maik Nawrocki in central defence as his side prepares to face Hearts at Celtic Park.
With Liam Scales unavailable and Auston Trusty only fit enough for the bench, Nawrocki will continue alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers in a role he filled during the 3-2 Glasgow derby defeat to Rangers before the international break.
Despite limited opportunities this season, Rodgers remains confident in the 24-year-old’s ability to step up.
“Listen, that's always the question mark for all players. I think people forget that you can only play 11 players,” Rodgers told BBC Scotland ahead of kick-off. “For a lot of our season, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, and Liam Scales have been outstanding. So, it's been very, very hard for Maik.
“What you've got to give him huge credit for is every single day in training his mentality to work, his endeavour, the responsibility he's taken to work and be the best he can be.
"So, if the opportunity comes and he has to come into a game like the Rangers game and perform like he did, that's a real testament to his professionalism and his mentality. He's done really well, he's had a couple of weeks, and then we will see.”
Read more:
-
Brendan Rodgers reveals Celtic's strategy for signing Viljami Sinisalo
-
Brown vs Lennon: Former Celtic teammates meet as Wanyama call made
Rodgers also acknowledged his preference for a left-footed centre-back on that side of the defence but insisted that Nawrocki is more than capable of stepping in.
“I do always prefer where I can a left-footed centre-half on that side, in all honesty, because that allows you to get through the pitch quicker and have more speed playing forward,” he admitted. “But Scalesy can't play and Auston isn't quite ready yet. I've got no problems playing Maik.”
Nawrocki will be eager to make the most of his opportunity once again and stake his claim for more regular minutes as Celtic look to return to winning ways in front of their home supporters.
