Plenty of Celtic fans have sprung to the defence of striker Patryk Klimala after he again failed to feature for Neil Lennon’s side at the weekend.
The Polish forward joined the Hoops last month in a £3.5m deal (as per The Scottish Sun) but has struggled for game-time since his arrival in Glasgow, making just two substitute appearances totalling 15 minutes in the Premiership and being given only one start, the Scottish Cup win over Clyde two weeks ago (as per TransferMarkt). Klimala was on the bench against Kilmarnock on Sunday but was not called upon by Lennon, who instead threw Vakoun Issouf Bayo on for Odsonne Edouard for the final 16 minutes, a development that led to @AgentScotland on Twitter fearing for the Pole’s prospects at Celtic.
If Bayo is considered to be in front of Klimala at this moment in time then he must be absolutely miles off it.
— Inside The SPFL (@AgentScotland) February 23, 2020
Bayo is by no means a regular under Lennon, starting only twice all season and scoring just two goals in 2019/20, but he was still summoned ahead of Klimala, who spurned a gilt-edged scoring chance in the aforementioned game against Clyde when he was given a chance in the starting XI. However, while the 21-year-old hasn’t flown out of the traps at Parkhead, these Hoops fans on Twitter are willing to be patient with him, with one claiming that ex-Celtic man Virgil van Dijk was not an overnight sensation in Glasgow:
Hang on, Klimala is a young boy moving to a new country. Way to soon to right him off. We’ve seen it many times before where it takes time to settle – Petrov perfect example. Even VVD took time and its only the last 12 months we have really seen the best of Eddie.
— Brushwood (@peacenjam) February 23, 2020
Players need a run of games in order to settle and build confidence. Bayo and Klimala haven’t had that – doesn’t mean they’re bad players. Lenny just goes with tried and tested unless circumstances dictate otherwise. And results show he knows what he’s doing.
— Eddie (@eddiedoch) February 23, 2020
Why isnt Klimala getting game time ??
— Stephen (@Stephen55767497) February 24, 2020
Klimala probably just needs time to adapt to the move and style of play at least I’m hoping so lol
— the downturn podcast (@DownturnThe) February 23, 2020
I would like to see a bit more of Klimala. Surely they could give him a few 20 minute slots. Bayo may be decent if due course if given opportunity, but Klimala has hardly had a chance at all. Is he getting reserve time?
— Badger (@whiterat58) February 23, 2020
It would be fair to give Patryk Klimala and Ismaila Soro a chance before casting judgement. HH pic.twitter.com/aKvkuBaaar
— Celtic Gossip (@CelticGossip) February 24, 2020
Celtic fans, does Klimala need to be given time and opportunities before judgement can be passed or is his continued omission already a worrying sign? Join in the discussion by commenting below!
