NEW Bhoy Nadir Ciftci has admitted the lure of the Champions League helped to persuade him to join Celtic.
And the Turkish frontman revealed he was sold on the move shortly after joining Dundee United two years ago.
Former Celtic striker Pierre van Hooijdonk, who was the player’s agent in both deals, took Ciftci to see Neil Lennon’s side lose to AC Milan at Parkhead in a group match in 2013.
The £1.3million signing said: “I have been here for a big European night. I know what it means for the fans. I only dream about things like that.
“Hopefully, we can get through this season and make that dream come true.
“I was here with my agent for that game against Milan when Mario Balotelli scored.
“I know how big those nights are for Celtic. I loved it – an atmosphere like that is something amazing.”
Ciftci could lead the line against Stjarnan in Iceland on Wednesday depite Griffiths’ hat-trick last night against Spanish outfit Eibar.
He said: “We’re looking forward to the second leg. With our quality, I will always be confident in this team going anywhere.
“It’s not easy if they park the bus in front of defence like that and you have to break them down.
“We had a few chances at home in the first-half and didn’t hit the back of the net.
“You knew it was going to come and after Dedryck Boyata’s goal we could have had loads of goals.
“We only got one more through Stefan Johansen, but it is still a strong lead.”
