ROCKI 2-3

Maik still packs punch as he puts himself in picture

- BY CRAIG SWAN

MAIK NAWROCKI didn't get a victory to savour on his shock Celtic return.

But the defender may have given himself a chance to win a long-term reprieve.

Or, at the very least, ensured his club are going to get their £4million outlay back if he heads out of the door this summer.

Positives from Celtic's 3-2 loss to Rangers last Sunday were hard to find.

And while it is difficult to commend defenders who are part of a backline that shipped another three in a disjointed display full of mishaps and mistakes, the Pole was the one who emerged from the wreckage with some pride intact.

Nawrocki was so far out of the Parkhead picture that many supporters had forgotten he was still around until Sunday's teamsheet dropped.

Five minutes against Falkirk in a Premier Sports Cup tie last September.. just 18 against Raith Rovers in a Scottish Cup clash last month... it hardly serves as the ideal preparation for an Old Firm showdown.

Yet he delivered strongly enough for Record Sport columnist Chris Sutton to say: "Nawrocki, for coming in, 23 minutes all season, he had an outstanding game." He'd been there before.

Thrust straight from a fourmonth injury absence into the side from the bench after Stephen Welsh sustained an injury against Rangers in the New Year game of last season, Nawrocki proved he could cope alongside Liam Scales as his team grabbed a pivotal 2-1 win in the title race.