GARY MACKAY-STEVEN insists he is ready for the challenge of becoming a first team player at Celtic.
The classy winger, who arrived on a cut-price £250,000 fee from Dundee United with Stuart Armstrong on Monday, realises the hard work starts now.
He will be back on Tayside on Saturday, but only as a spectator as his new club take on Dundee in the Scottish Cup Fifth Round tie at Dens Park.
The 24-year-old flair player is Cup-tied as is fellow new boy Armstrong, both turning out for the Tannadice side earlier in the competition.
He admitted the lure of pulling on the green and white hoops was irresistible.
Mackay-Steven said: “When a club like Celtic shows interest, your head is immediately turned – the facilities, the stature of the club, the world-renowned fame and, of course, the fans.
“Stuart and I have played here before as opposing players and it’s an unbelievable arena to play football.
“We want to kick on with our careers and get Scotland caps. Hopefully, we can achieve that, too.
“There are a number of things at Celtic, but they play football the right way here.
“The manager’s got them playing on the ground and that suits us as we like to play football, attack and be easy on the eye.
“The challenge for a first team place is another part of the reason which made our minds up to come.
“We want to challenge ourselves with the best and become better players.
“I want to improve in every aspect of my game, I want to chip in with goals and assists.
“You can never be the perfect player, so I’ll just have to work hard and see where it takes me.”
