Why Maik Nawrocki's Celtic arrival signals a defensive shift

To receive our full, free newsletter including this analysis straight to your email inbox the day BEFORE it appears on the website, click here and tick the box for The Celtic Digest.

Being a central defender in the modern game is tough, especially at a club like Celtic.

Not only do they have to focus on their defensive responsibilities, but they also have to be one of the first players involved in initialising a positive offensive action, such as a forward pass or even a dribble up the park. It is a position that has evolved a lot in recent times. Over the past two seasons, defensive stalwarts Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt have been a formidable force for Celtic, both playing their part in contributing to the Hoops winning five out of the six trophies available.

Bit-part players such as Stephen Welsh, Tomoki Iwata and Yuki Kobayashi have all made contributions too, but they have largely failed to disrupt the first-choice defensive pairing when both were fit and available. Moritz Jenz looked as if he could have had the best chance of forcing his way into the side ahead of Starfelt. His minutes were limited, though, following the World Cup break, which sparked the termination of his loan deal in January.

However, Postecoglou has now departed for Tottenham Hotspur, allowing former boss Brendan Rodgers to return to the club after four years away. And it is expected that the new manager will want to stamp his fresh ideas on the team, including in defence. Indeed, it has been reported that reinforcements are on the way for the club in the shape of Legia Warsaw centre-back Maik Nawrocki. The 22-year-old has recently emerged as a prime target for Celtic, with his club all but confirming his departure this summer to Scotland over the past week.

READ MORE: Maik Nawrocki: Commanding Celtic transfer target is first-team ready

Kosta Runjaic – Nawrocki’s manager at Legia Warsaw – made the developments public to Polish media outlets. He said: "You can expect Maik Nawrocki to leave our club soon. The information has already leaked out, there is a serious offer on the table, but for now, these are internal consultations." It looks as if the developing transfer activity in terms of Nawrocki has legs to it. Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray were also interested in his services, but Celtic are set to secure him, with the defender currently in Glasgow to confirm the deal after completing his medical. These reports came just hours after the club were linked with Volendam defender Xavier Mbuyamba, though it would seem that Celtic have opted for the Pole instead.

It would make sense that Celtic and Rodgers would be pushing for this signing. Carter-Vickers is still recovering from the knee operation that put him on the sidelines following the Scottish Cup semi-final. Rushing the defender back – despite how integral he is to the squad – could potentially risk further injury, which is why his reintegration into the team should be executed with patience and caution.

Nawrocki has experience playing first-team football and would slot seamlessly into the backline alongside Starfelt if Carter-Vickers was unavailable, making him a no-brainer if Celtic do complete the deal in the coming days. Rodgers also knows all about the Polish defender, as he has faced Nawrocki before in his previous spell with Leicester City. Yes, the two have crossed paths despite the latter’s relatively short career, as Legia Warsaw defeated the Foxes 1-0 in the Europa Conference League. Indeed, Nawrocki played the full 90 minutes in the notable victory against the then-Premier League opposition, which would have alerted Rodgers to the player in the first place. If this transfer materialises, then it would be the first proper sign of a proverbial 'Brendan Rodgers’ transfer taking place in his second reign.

So far, one could potentially attribute all of Celtic’s signings (both confirmed and impending) to that of Mark Lawwell and the transfer committee, given their respective profiles and where they currently play. Nawrocki would be the notable exception to this recruitment, as he has that previous link with Rodgers, and the league he is operating in is a far cry from South Korea and Australia, where Celtic are scouting both extensively and publicly. So, where does this leave the other central defenders if Nawrocki does indeed join the club as expected? Celtic will be competing in at least four different competitions this season, with the potential for another if they finish third in their Champions League group. European football after Christmas will undoubtedly be the aim for the club which means they will need bodies for rotation.

Of course, those players in question must be good enough to step in when required. As of yet, the likes of Welsh and Kobayashi have failed to convince in their fleeting appearances that they are the long-term answer, whilst Iwata is more of a utility player who can fill in as a last resort. Furthermore, for the defenders who spent last season out on loan, such as Liam Scales and Osaze Urhoghide, one would assume that the exit door is edging ever so closer for them, meaning the signing of a player such as Nawrocki is pivotal. With reports of over £5 million being bandied about, you would assume that Nawrocki would not be coming to purely just make up the numbers. With Carter-Vickers essentially a nailed-on starter, will that mean Carl Starfelt has to make way in place of the new defender coming in?

READ MORE: Yang Hyunjun: Why Celtic is perfect for 'explosive' dribbler

Time will tell, but it is encouraging that Celtic appears to have highlighted the centre of defence as a problem area and are executing a solution to that problem. Healthy competition breeds determination and success, so here’s hoping that is the case with Nawrocki’s arrival seemingly edging ever closer to completion.