Dundee United goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak has backed compatriot and new Tannadice man Jaroslaw Fojut to show Celtic exactly what they are missing.
Having graduated from the same MSP Szamotuly academy in Poland, Cierzniak has watched Fojut’s career progress with interest at one point being considered one of the brightest young players in the country.
In January 2012, the sky was the limit for Fojut as he penned a pre-contract with the Hoops, with former manager Neil Lennon describing him as “strong, technically good, quick and very good in the air.”
However, after suffering a devastating cruciate knee ligament injury, he was considered too big a risk and Celtic backed out of the deal, leaving Fojut to rebuild his career and fitness with Tromso in Norway.
Now Cierzniak is convinced his mate is back better than ever, and ready to prove a point to the men in green and white.
The 31-year-old lauded: “Celtic wanted him two years ago and he was very unlucky that an injury stopped him being able to go there. I think now he will come to Scotland and show everyone that he is a top player.
“He is over his injury and has shown that in Norway. Everything is good with his knee and he is fine.
“I know him from our time back in Poland. We were at the same coaching school at Szamotuly. I was just leaving when he was going into the school, but I have followed his career.
“I also watched him closely in the Polish league and he did very well there for Szamotuly and later Slask Wroclaw.”
And, compared to the rigours of fatherhood, Cierzniak and Fojut should find marshalling the United defence child’s play.
With both men celebrating new arrivals this summer, Cierzniak reckons they may spend as much time together at the playground as they do at the training ground.
He smiled: “I am happy he is here because we can speak Polish and it is good for our families to have other people from back home close to us.
“In fact, my wife and his wife have both had babies in the summer and there is only three weeks apart in their ages, so it will be good to be in that situation together.”
Cierzniak, who has recovered from a slight back complaint ahead of the new campaign, was speaking as United embarked on the most testing leg of their pre-season programme.
Jackie McNamara’s men have arrived in the Dutch city of Arnhem for a six-day training camp, which will also see them play three friendlies.
A low-key opener against local minnows FC Winterswijk kicks off the trip tonight.
However, encounters against Eredivisie outfits FC Utrecht and NAC Breda former club of Nadir Ciftci will provide a more stern challenge.
However, it is one which Cierzniak will relish: “I think the games in Holland will be good for me and the whole team. They will be difficult games and that is good.
“I hope we will see we have made progress in these games and show we are getting closer to where we want to be at the start of the season.”