Gustaf Lagerbielke: I can't wait to play in front of the Celtic fans
Gustaf Lagerbielke has become the latest Swedish player to join Celtic, and heâs hoping to make as big an impact in the green and white Hoops as some of his fellow countrymen have done. He arrives at the club just as another Swedish defender has left, and the new Bhoy will be wearing the No.4 jersey vacated by Carl Starfelt. For the 23-year-old, the fact that previous Swedish players have settled so well into life in Glasgow and at Celtic is just another reason for being positive about the move from Elfsborg.
Speaking exclusively to Celtic TV, Gustaf Lagerbielke said: âIâm really excited and proud to be here. When I heard about the interest I was really excited and I was pushing for it to happen. The first thing you think of when you hear the name âCelticâ is obviously the fans, this stadium and the atmosphere the fans create here. And also, all the good players who have played here and who are playing here now, so Iâm really excited to play with them and hopefully win a lot of games and titles. Itâs also a good sign that as a Swedish person, you can like it here and adapt to Scotland and Glasgow, so itâs good to know that when you take a step like this, former Swedes have been here and did it well so hopefully I can walk in their footsteps. Every player that signs for Celtic has the ambition to win all the domestic trophies and also do well in Europe as well. Carl has been a really good player here and hopefully I can also be a really good player here.â
The player, who has already gained one international cap for his country, has been playing competitive football this season since April when the Swedish league began, with his last game for Elfsborg coming last Sunday. And heâs hoping that the match sharpness heâs gained over the past few months will stand him in good stead right away at Celtic, both domestically and when the Champions League campaign kicks off next month.
âIt was fun to get one last game with Elfsborg, even though we lost,â he said, âbut it felt good to end that chapter in a good way, and Iâm just excited now to be here. Itâs been nice playing all summer in the Swedish league and getting match fitness, so Iâm ready to go straight into the action here at Celtic. Itâs one of the reasons I started playing football when I was little â to play against the best and in the biggest tournament that there is, so hopefully we can get some good results and advance to the later stages of the Champions League.â
Lagerbielke has already met his new team-mates at Lennoxtown and heâs looking forward to getting out on the training pitch and begin playing alongside them and training under Brendan Rodgers.
"I know that all of them are really good players so itâs going to be fun to play with them and learn from them as well,â he said. âI had a brief chat with the manager before I came here, and then a brief chat today, and he just welcomed me and it was nice to have me here, and I think weâll take more tactical and football things in the future. He seems like a really good guy and his achievements speak for themselves as a coach."
Celticâs new Swedish defender is looking forward to playing at Paradise, and he believes that the move to the Scottish champions can be beneficial for his career, both at club and international level.
âIâm a hard-working defender and I always want to win,â he explained. âI like to play out from the back, keep my composure and hopefully I can head in a couple of goals this season. I focus more on developing as a player and, coming here, I hope to develop even more. If I do well, then Iâll get my chance in the national team as well, and I look forward to getting that opportunity.â
Celtic TV - First Interview with new Bhoy Gustaf Lagerbielke
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