Filip Twardzik: A Celtic Fan's View

Bolton Wanderers made a total of four signing on dead line day, and perhaps the least known amongst them was Filip Twardzik, closely matched by fellow midfielder Simeon Slavchev, who signed for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half year deal, from Neil Lennon's former club Celtic.

With information about the young Czech midfielder hard to come by, I asked Kieran Caw, of Celtic Journal, to shed some light on the player, which he kindly obliged to do.

Take it away Kieran:

Filip Twardzik signed for Celtic as a highly-rated 16-year-old from the Hertha Berlin academy, alongside his twin brother Patrick (the fella who broke the news of the signing). Despite being born in the Czech Republic, he has spent most of his life living in Germany.

A youth career blighted with unlucky injuries towards the end of his time at Celtic meant Twardzik, despite bing at the club for five years, had rarely featured for the first team. He did, however, play in the last game of the 2013/14 season against Dundee United and was awarded Man of the Match - he also scored this unfortunate own goal:

Twardzik has been a regular for the Development Squad, scoring and assisting a number of goals from midfield. He was awarded the Man of the Match against Barcelona U19's and was given this rave review:

"Impossible to mark, because he was everywhere. Began on the right hand side of midfield, but sat behind the strikers at times, and was happy back to defence and help get the passing moves going."

Showed fantastic range of passing. Neat flicks kept the play moving, and long passes found team-mates in space.

It continues.

Didn't get sight of goal too often and and the two efforts he did have were blocked, but was instrumental in most of Celtic's moves."

His 'neat flicks' highlighted above were also evident on his Scottish league debut in 2012, when he set up Joe Ledley in what was an excellent fifth goal to win the league against Kilmarnock.

Most recently Filip Twardzik scored a double for Celtic's Development Squad, against Rangers in a 6-1 victory: http://youtu.be/bO6TQ5xk3Pg

It is possible that Neil Lennon will fancy Twardzik as a first-team player for Bolton, but it could be a while before he becomes a regular in the squad.

At twenty-one years of age, Twardzik will now feel that it is time to play football at a senior level week in, week out.

Filip Twardzik's preferred position is as an attacking midfielder, but he has played on the wing and at left back for Celtic during his time in Scotland.

For a stereotypically tough league, Twardzik may need to but up a little bit to compete against some of the opposing defenders. What he doesn't lack though, is trickery and the ability to pick out a pass.

All in all, Bolton supporters should expect too much from Twardzik - but if anyone can get the best out of him, Neil Lennon can.

A short highlight reel of Filip Twardzik: http://youtu.be/N8Emq8T3IxA

It remains to be seen just how involved the new signing will be in the coming months, but at least we all know a little more about him now, thanks to Kieran.

You can follow Kieran on Twitter - @Kierean_Celtic.