NEW Bhoys Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven have their eyes on the European prize.
The former Dundee United double-act, who arrived at the champions in a £2million move on deadline day, are desperate to be involved in the forthcoming Europa League ties against Inter Milan.
Smooth midfielder Armstrong, 22, said: “European football is a big thing for me.
“We have Inter Milan later this month and it’s fantastic to think I could be part of a game at the San Siro.
“I’ve never been to a European game at Celtic Park. There are a lot of things at Celtic that have still to sink in.
“To have the prospect of the Europa League and Champions League 10 years after sitting watching it as a kid on TV is incredible.
“It’s really exciting and slightly overwhelming at the moment, but I am looking forward to it.”
The spotlight will be on the former Tannadice stars but Mackay-Steven says he is ready to embrace it and will not change his style.
The 24-year-old said: “I feel well prepared both mentally and physically.
“Everyone has their opinions, but I am relishing the opportunity here and, hopefully, I will thrive under the conditions.
“I think it gets thrown at all creative players that you maybe take a few more chances than other players do.
“When others pass, you look to attack and take players on, but I don’t think I will change my game for anyone.
“I’ve always played the same way and look to get at players, attack all the time and create.
“Hopefully, with the players already here, I can add to that and help the team.”
Armstrong is also relishing the prospect of playing alongside Scott Brown in the engine room of the team.
He added: “Scott is someone who has shown what a Scottish player can achieve at Celtic.
“When you think of Celtic, you think of Scott Brown.
“He has achieved a lot at this football club and if I can be half as successful as he’s been, I’ll be happy.
“I met Scott a few times when I was in the Scotland squad for friendlies and had a few chats.
“He’s always a tough guy to play against and you learn from that experience of going up against guys like him.
“You try to take on board what they are doing on the pitch and, hopefully, I will learn even more playing in the same side.
“Scott commands the central area and dictates the play. He’s physical and it can be quite enduring to go up against him for 90 minutes.
“But he has many aspects to his game and that is just one of them. To be a top player, you have to be good at everything. He has that down to a tee.”
