Celtic striker Patryk Klimala has revealed that he has spent lockdown trying to bulk up his physique after struggling to compete in training sessions at Lennxotown.

The Polish forward struggled to make an impact after signing for the Scottish champions from Jagiellonia Bialystok in his homeland in January.

But the £3.5m signing has admitted that coming up against Christopher Jullien on a daily basis had convinced him to hit the gym since the coronavirus outbreak in March.

Speaking to CelticTV in France, where Neil Lennon’s side are set to take on Nice in a pre-season friendly, the 21-year-old expressed hope his new-found strength would make a difference in the 2020/21 campaign.

"I had talked about going to the gym because when I fight on the pitch with Chris Jullien for example, it was really hard,” he said. “I didn’t have any chance and that’s why I did this. It’s a lot better, I feel, and hopefully the guys see the same about me.

"Before I came here I knew it would be a difficult six months and it was. I know I don’t play much so now I feel really good, I’m ready, I feel ready to show the fans what I can do.

"I feel comfortable now. I know what (Odsonne) Edouard did last season, I’ve worked hard and hopefully I get a chance to show something more. I spoke with Kendo (John Kennedy), I know what I have to do, why I am here and we will see."

Klimala has been taking English lessons on a daily basis during lockdown so that he can communicate better with his team mates, but admitted that he can improve further.

He added: "I understand everything, sometimes I have a problem with speaking. I don’t know why, it’s difficult situation, but I do this because I respect the team-mates, the manager, the fans and I can speak with everyone in English and I’m learning every day. I feel better with the language but hopefully it will get better."