NEW Bhoy Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo is looking forward to being involved “crazier” Glasgow derbies.
Celtic’s £3million left-back recruit has been involved in confrontations with city neighbours in Vienna and Brugge, but he expects encounters against Steven Gerrard’s outfit to top the lot.
The 24-year-old attacking defender agreed a four-year deal with the eight-in-a-row champions, as CQN reported during the week.
And with continued speculation over the future of Kieran Tierney’s future, the Belgian could become a key man at the Hoops in the forthcoming campaign.
He insisted that even the Austria-Rapid Vienna derby will pale in comparison to the Parkhead men’s visit to Ibrox on September 1 for the High Noon live clash which will be watched by millions worldwide on Sky Sports.
Boli has also sampled the Club Brugge v Cercle meetings, but can’t wait to get started in the Scottish version.
The player, speaking to the Sunday Mail, said: “This is a new challenge and I’m happy that I have haven’t changed my colours – because Rapid also play in a green-and-white strip. In every country the derby games are different.
“I have played in some big matches with Rapid Vienna against Austria Vienna.
NEW ROUTINE…Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo goes through a training session at Lennoxtown that appears to baffle Odsonne Edouard. Lewis Morgan, Jozo Simunovic and Maryan Shved get on with it.
“They can be pretty crazy, but I think that, over here, they are even CRAZIER.
“The Celtic games against Rangers are famous.
“Rangers are always going to do everything they can to win the game against Celtic, but it will be the same for us.
“I have played against Rangers before and I think the Scottish league will be a tough league, not easy at all.
“It will take time to adapt to Scottish football, but once I do that I’m confident that I can show my qualities.”
One of the main factors that drew Bolingoli-Mbombo to Parkhead was boss Neil Lennon.
He added: “It is important to feel from the manager or the coach if he is really interested.
“That was a big thing – to know the manager as well as the club wanted me.
“Of course, I was more interested in the club than the manager. If Celtic comes in for you then you can’t say no.
“Celtic are a famous club, so I have seen some highlights.
“It was nice to see how crazy the supporters were and how they won games. I also saw them play against Barcelona and PSG in the Champions League.
“There was a great atmosphere in the stadium. I can’t wait to play at Celtic Park and feel the fans behind me.
“That can only motivate you to give them something back.”
