Speaking to Celtic TV, he said: “It was hard to play a few games and then get injured and have a long break where I didn’t play.

“I knew the chance would come to play and I’m really happy that I was prepared for the moment. The most important thing was to work hard in training to be fit.

“Mentally, you have to be prepared as well and I think I did well and I was prepared for the moment.”

Talking about the 2-1 derby win, he said: “In the first moment, it was strange because I hadn’t played in a number of months.

“To come in for that game in Celtic Park and against Rangers, which is one of the biggest games in the world, the first 10 minutes I had to get into it and I felt I did after half-time.

'When I look back I think it’s a very big moment in my career.'

“In the moment it was about getting into it and focusing on the game and I didn’t think too much about it.”

Speaking at an event today at Hampden Park, Nawrocki admitted that it was his first visit to the National Stadium, a venue he hopes he is back at for the Scottish Cup semi-final and final later in the season.

Having played his part in Sunday’s 5-0 win over Buckie Thistle as the Hoops kicked off the defence of the trophy, the 22-year-old was pleased to get back into action following the winter break and he was delighted with the team’s performance.

After enjoying some time with family over the shutdown, Nawrocki is excited for what’s to come in the next four months as he hopes to finish the season with silverware.

He added: “It was good for the team to get the rhythm again.

'I think we did very well and we respected the other team and had a good result in the end.'

“We had seven days off and I went home to get my mind fresh and my body also. Now we have had some time to work as a team.

“I’m settling in nice. The city is very good and I live in the West End which is a very nice place and the people are so nice everywhere.

“I’m now looking forward to this time because as a team we have worked hard and we have the league and cup games to play for and I’m looking forward to playing, with the target to be here at Hampden.”

Maik Nawrocki: I'm ready for a big second part of the season