‘AWESOME,’ COLD COMFORT FOR NEW BHOY

The 20-year-old left-back made his first start when he was pitched in against Falkirk in the Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final at Parkhead.

It was an eye-opener for the attack-minded defender who signed a season-long loan deal from the Catalan giants near the end of August.

Valle struggled and was withdrawn in the 61st minute with Greg Taylor taking his place as Brendan Rodgers revamped his starting line-up to transform a 2-1 deficit to the Championship outfit to a 5-2 triumph.

The Spaniard made another appearance as a substitute for the injured Taylor in Dortmund with the visitors already 5-1 adrift in a Champions League mauling that saw the Germans eventually settle for a 7-1 victory.

And Valle must have wondered if things could get better as the champions struggled in Dingwall five days later with Ross County a goal ahead with 14 of the regulation 90 minutes to play.

Thankfully, Alistair Johnston diverted in a drive from Callum McGregor for the equaliser and Nicolas Kuhn curled in a memorable winner as the clock ticked down.

It’s all been fairly breathtaking for the youngster who is hoping to make another appearance when the Hoops face fellow-Premiership pacesetters Aberdeen in a crucial showdown at Parkhead a week tomorrow.

Valle remains unfazed as he says: “If I had to pick one thing that has surprised me I would choose that the club is maybe even bigger than I thought.

ON THE BALL…Alex Valle in control.

“I didn’t think it was quite so big and I didn’t expect such an atmosphere like the one at Paradise. The level of the game here in training and in each game, as well, is awesome.

“So, I’m really happy. I like living in Scotland although the weather is getting worse every day. But I have to wait until November, December. They told me that!

“It’s a good city, it’s a really good city and I’m enjoying it. So I’m happy personally.”

As well as appearances in Europe’s most prestigious competition, the Premiership and the League Cup, the stylish back-four operator also turned out in the midweek friendly encounter where Rodgers’ men beat Sligo Rovers 3-2 in Ireland.

Reflecting on how he is settling into his new team’s system, Valle, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Celtic play a style of football that everyone knows is different from the standards of nowadays.

“So, mixing that with playing in a more physical league, I think I’ve been settling in here very well. I’m feeling confident.

“I’m just trying to adapt, to follow the instructions. I’m trying to see what I do wrong in every game, in every training session, so that I can be better. I knew already when I came here that there were lots of matches, but it’s great for a young player like me.

“I want the most minutes I can get.

WELCOME TO PARADISE…Alex Valle seals his season-long loan deal from Barcelona.

“There are a lot of contrasting games, that actually explains it really well. We have played in a lot of different places in the last few weeks in the league, in the Cup and in Europe.

“It was a bit step by step. I started in the Cup, trying to see where my position was, to be better. Then I came into the Champions League and then into the league. I’m trying to feel better every game.”

Valle also thanked Taylor, his rival for the No.3 shirt, for helping him settle in and added: “I don’t know Greg’s situation. I don’t actually mind.

“I just try to work for myself, and if I have the opportunity to play, I will give my best every game. I don’t mind if it’s Aberdeen or if it’s another team.

“For me, every weekend, I try my best and that’s it. It’s a healthy competition. Greg has helped me a lot since I came here. Obviously, for the position, he can advise me really well.