Jeffrey Schlupp: I'm ready to play my part in delivering more success to the Celtic fans | OneFootball

Jeffrey Schlupp arrived at Celtic on Monday as a deadline day signing, joining the club on a six-month loan from Crystal Palace.

As soon as the player learned of Celtic’s interest, there was not a moment’s hesitation in making the move to the Scottish champions.

And now that he’s here, the 32-year-old is determined to do everything he can to help Brendan Rodgers’ side in achieving their goals in the remainder of the season.

On his first day at Lennoxtown, the left-sided player spoke to Celtic TV about his move to the Hoops and his previous experience of Paradise.

“I’m super excited," Jeffrey Schlupp admitted. “It’s actually been one of my dreams, as much as many others, to play for such a great club like Celtic.

“I had the pleasure of playing here about nine years ago in a pre-season match, so I’ve actually been to the stadium before and the atmosphere and everything about it was something exciting.

"So as soon as the opportunity came up, I was really excited about it

“Everyone always speaks about the experience of playing at Celtic, the atmosphere, the fans and the stadium as you’re driving up to it.”

That pre-season game in July 2016 was a match between Celtic and Leicester City in the International Champions Cup which finished 1-1, with the English side winning the subsequent penalty shoot-out.

At the time, Leicester were the Premier League champions, and one of Schlupp’s team-mates from that time, Kasper Schmeichel, is now one of his new team-mates at Celtic.

“Kasper was one of the first people I spoke to when this opportunity came up,” Schlupp explained. “He messaged me and we spoke, and he told me about how great the club is, how much I’ll enjoy playing here, and I can’t wait to link up again.

The Ghanaian internationalist is looking forward to the next six months and helping the team across the three competitions they’re still involved – the Premiership, Scottish Cup and, of course, the UEFA Champions League, with an exciting knockout phase play-off against German giants, Bayern Munich, looming on the horizon.

And Jeffrey Schlupp is also eager to start working with Brendan Rodgers, having heard so much positive feedback from other players about the Celtic manager.

“I’ve watched the other Champions League games and the boys have performed so well in it,” he said.

“To be able to get a draw like Bayern Munich is very exciting for the fans and everyone involved with the club but, again, it’s a game that we’re obviously going to go and try to win.

“As much as enjoying the experience, it’s a game that we want to win and try to get through the play-offs.

“I know players who have worked under the manager and they’ve always said the same thing – great coach, great guy and if you work hard for him he’ll be great for you.

“So that’s what I’m planning to do. I want to repay him for the faith he has in bringing me here, and hopefully I can do that with some good performances and hopefully we, as a squad, can achieve some great things.”