Patryk Klimala names the Celtic ace he struggled against in training, inspired him to bulk up
Celtic forward Patryk Klimala has told the official Hoops website that struggling against the likes of Christopher Jullien in training made him decide to bulk up during the Scottish football hiatus.
The Poland Under-21 striker joined Neil Lennon’s side at the start of the year for a reported £3.5million fee (The Scottish Sun) after seven goals in 18 appearances last season for Polish Ekstraklasa side Jagiellonia Bialystok.
(Photo by Joachim Sielski/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Klimala scored 11 goals in 48 appearances in total for Jagiellonia, having made his debut in July 2018, as well as spending a season on loan at Wigry Suwalki in the 2017-18 season, netting 13 times in 28 games.
The 21-year-old was handed limited game time by Neil Lennon prior to the Scottish Premiership season being called prematurely, with two league appearances and two Scottish Cup outings.
With preparations under way for the 2020-21 season ahead of a potential tenth title in a row, Klimala has caught the eye thanks to his shaven head and bulked-up, muscular physique.
Now, with Leigh Griffiths having missed out on both the Loughborough training camp and the pre-season trip to France, the spotlight has increased on the Pole.
“It was a simple decision for me to go to the gym during lockdown,” Klimala told the Celtic website.
“When I was on the pitch with, say, Chris Jullien, for example, it was really hard. I didn’t have any chance – that’s why I wanted to bulk up and I think that it’s better for me. I feel better and hopefully the guys think the same.”
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While Odsonne Edouard is Celtic’s main man up front, Griffiths’ omission from Neil Lennon’s pre-season plans so far is an opportunity that Klimala must – and most likely will – take.
Klimala’s physique has caught the eye, testament to a player who has worked incredibly hard over the past few months, and it bodes well for his future as well as that of the Hoops.
