Chris Sutton has warned Patryk Klimala that he won’t be given any settling in time at Celtic.
The striker signed from Jagiellona in midweek for a £3.5m transfer fee and is expected to be involved at some stage tonight against Partick Thistle.
Back in 2000 Sutton had a pre-season to get used to life alongside Henrik Larsson then got off on the right footing with the winning goal away to Dundee United in Martin O’Neill’s first match as manager.
Celtic stormed their way to the Treble that season with similar expectations on Klimala as Neil Lennon looks for a striking option to compliment and compete with Odsonne Edouard.
In the Record Sutton writes:
Patryk Klimala was the first one in the door and the Polish star will not have a settling-in period.
Whether he likes it or not, he’s going to have to hit the ground sprinting because Edouard can’t keep carrying the entire load with the sheer volume of games which are coming up thick and fast.
Vakoun Bayo might leave on loan and it’s just not happened for Leigh Griffiths. None of that pair have been able to support the Frenchman and Klimala is going to have to do it and do it almost immediately
Other positions need strengthening before the close of the window, that’s for sure. Ismaila Soro will be back-up to Brown and McGregor I’d imagine, but striker was the key one and it has been done, so now it’s down to the young Pole.
One thing Klimala has got in his favour is that he’ll be surrounded by serial winners. And, at this stage of a season when it starts racing towards the run-in, having that experience to count upon is almost as important as being a top talent.
Leigh Griffiths is also in contention for a place today as Celtic start their defence of the Scottish Cup after a three-week break.
Over the next 16 days the hoops face four demanding SPFL matches with three away days including trips to the plastic of Kilmarnock and Hamilton Accies.
