Mateusz Zukowski may have faced his fair share of critics since returning to Poland but, as Slask Wroclaw maintained their stunning form at the start of the new campaign, the former Rangers defender need only point to the Ekstraklasa table as a defence.
Two-time league champions and without a single piece of silverware since 2012, it remains to be seen whether Slask can maintain their rapid start – exploding out of the blocks but still facing plenty of hurdles – but the swell of optimism is understandable, not to mention contagious.
Saturday’s 1-0 win over Piast Gliwice was Slask’s sixth in a row. As Mateusz Zukowski’s old side stutter along in Celtic’s slipstream – victorious but fortuitous against Motherwell this weekend – his new team are showing no signs of slowing down.
There is now a two-point gap between Slask and Legia Warsaw at the top of the Ekstraklasa table.
Mateusz Zukowski top of table after leaving Rangers
The cynics, however, will argue that this is despite – rather than because of – Zukowski’s presence on the team sheet. The Poland U21 international, who left Ibrox just 18 months after arriving at Rangers in a £400,000 deal, was labelled the ‘worst winger in the league right now’ by one particularly harsh-minded pundit last week, and then found himself dropped to the bench when Piast Gliwice came to town.
But Zukowski, it must be said, is still adapting to a new, and very different, role. A right-back at Rangers, Zukowski has spent much of this season lining up on the left wing instead.
Patience is required and, while his performances have left something to be desired at times, Slask still have a remarkable 75 per cent win percentage when Zukowski is on the pitch.
Keep that run going, and Zukowski could have a place in Slask Wroclaw folklore coming his way.
Chasing first league title in nearly a decade
“We knew that we would be facing a good, well-organised team that doesn’t lose matches,” head coach Jacek Magiera smiles, Zukowski coming off the bench to help get that latest league win over the line.
“Let’s appreciate our streak, the enthusiasm of the fans, the great work of the players and the results. The competition in the team is at a good level, which motivates the players. Congratulations to the team.
“We want to be greedy and keep winning.’
