Maik Nawrocki has been handed a shock start for Celtic in today’s Glasgow derby showdown against Rangers at Parkhead, making his first Scottish Premiership appearance of the season.
The 24-year-old Polish defender, who signed a five-year deal in the summer of 2023, has struggled for game time under Brendan Rodgers, making just two substitute appearances across all competitions.
However, with both Liam Scales and Auston Trusty unavailable, Nawrocki has been thrust into the starting XI for one of the biggest fixtures of the campaign.
Rodgers will be hoping the former Legia Warsaw centre-back can rise to the occasion as Celtic look to strengthen their 16 point lead at the league summit.
Speaking ahead of kick-off, Celtic manager Rodgers expressed his faith in the rarely used player, saying: "He has come on in a game like this before and he was outstanding in the game. Centre-half is a position in our team where there are very few changes unless there is an injury.
"Unfortunately for him, the form of Carter-Vickers, Trusty and Scales has meant his time has been limited. But he has trained brilliantly and kept himself in a really good physical place."
