PATRYK KLIMALA has revealed he was p****d off with Neil Lennon’s decision making during his stint at Celtic.
The former Hoops frontman is currently leading the line for the New York Red Bulls in the MLS, since joining in January, making 12 goal contributions in 23 matches under Austrian manager Gerhard Struber.
Arriving in Glasgow from Jagiellonia Bialystok in January of 2020, Klimala put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-deal, worth €4million.
Expectations were high for the Polish forward as the Celtic faithful sought partnership for the in-form Odsonne Edouard.
However, things didn’t go quite as planned for the 23-year-old, failing to make the desired impact at Celtic Park under the demise of Lennon’s Hoops as he waited until August 2 for his first competitive goal.
Klimala’s time in Scotland came to an end in April of this year, joining former Celts Cameron Harper and Andrew Gutman in the Land of the Free with New York Red Bulls.
Speaking to Football Scotland, Klimala explains the reasons behind his failed stint in Scotland under Neil Lennon as the Hoops had a season to forget, losing the crown to Glasgow rivals Rangers with the failure to capture a record 10-in-a-row.
He said: "Neil Lennon and I spoke a few times about why I didn't play, what I had to improve on, how I had to make myself up.
"I think I did it but sometimes this happens. Edouard was having a good season, was scoring goals and was doing it every game.
"I was p**sed off, to be honest because I didn't play but that's football, sometimes it works and other times it doesn't.
"What did Lennon ask me to improve specifically? We spoke about my playing with my back to goal, to care more about the ball when I had it, those were the two things he told me.
"He knew I was quick and could score goals but maybe it wasn't the style the manager liked, I don't know.
"I am completely happy right now but when I left Glasgow I was sad. When I went to Celtic I thought I'd be a big striker in Scotland but I wasn't. I didn't play enough to prove myself to fans, the coaching staff and everyone around me.
"I was angry because I didn't understand it. I think everyone in my case would be angry because you have a striker available and you play a number 10 as a striker? Maybe the manager didn't trust me enough, I don't know.
"It wasn't one game, it was a couple of games like that. When I was at Celtic I would think about it but it's completely done and I still have no idea why. I never spoke about it with Neil Lennon.
"I never complained about why I'm not playing. I never spoke to anyone about why I wasn't playing and they didn't speak to me either because they knew that I don't like complaining.
"I want to score goals to help the team but now I'm happy and I know my move was good.
"You can see it on the field with how I'm playing now, I feel so comfortable with this and I'm enjoying playing for Red Bulls."
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