Hibernian goalkeeping prospect Kevin Dabrowski shares similar attributes to former Celtic stopper Fraser Forster, according to Dumbarton coach Robert Glen.
The 22-year-old was recalled from an impressive loan spell with The Sons last week as Jack Ross attempted to ease the Easter Road side's selection crisis between the sticks, but found himself benched behind new signing Matt Macey for Monday's trip to Parkhead.
The rangy Polish stopper is yet to make a first team appearance for the men in green and white, despite appearing as an unused substitute more than 35 times, acting as backup to the currently injured Ofir Marciano.
However Glen, a former youth coach at Celtic who worked with Forster during his initial spell at the Glasgow club, can see the similarities between the pair as he implored Ross to give the ex-Lech Poznan trainee a chance to shine.
He told the Lennox Herald: "Kevin definitely has similarities with Fraser. I remember watching him when I worked at Celtic and he had just arrived from Newcastle at a similar age and with not much experience.
“I would watch him and he would parry the ball a lot. Kevin is like that. The thing is that they have so much power in their arms that when they parry it, it goes out for a throw in. It’s just their style.
“They are obviously similar in stature too, I think Kevin is 6ft 6in with size 11 gloves and size 12 feet.
“They are also similar in that they aren’t the most confident with the ball at their feet – and that’s something that Kevin would admit. We worked hard with him to improve that, but like with Fraser, it’s something that will come with time.”
Dabrowski's return to Easter Road was hastened by the departure of Dillon Barnes back to parent club QPR after the London side decided to terminate his loan spell early.
The youngster previously spent time developing at Berwick Rangers, Civil Service Strollers and Cowdenbeath before arriving at The Rock in the summer, though Glen admitted it remains to be seen how Dabrowski handles the return to full-time training after COVID restricted the League One side's ability to work on a daily basis.
Ross previously admitted he was reluctant to pull the keeper's loan spell early, but Glen said Dabrowski should be ready for the fight if it comes down to a three-way scrap for the number one jersey.
"He’ll go back into that environment now and it’ll be a battle for the number one shirt straight away so there is no guarantee that he’ll play," he said.
“The experience he’s built up this season will definitely stand him in good stead back at Hibs though.
“His challenge now is to play every week but to do that he’ll be up against an Israeli international and a player who has spent years at Arsenal. That’s a big test.
“Kevin has to try and break into that team and establish himself as their number one, but he’ll have that experience he gained at Dumbarton behind him.”
