Kayal happy with Hoops move

Midfielder admits Neil Lennon was a big factor in move

Last updated: 29th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Kayal happy with Hoops move

Kayal: Celtic move

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

New Celtic midfielder Biram Kayal admits he is delighted to have moved to the Scottish club.

The Israel international becomes manager Neil Lennon's seventh signing of the summer following his switch from Maccabi Haifa.

Kayal, 22, says he made the right decision in moving to Parkhead and is excited to get his Hoops career underway.

"I came here so happy, so excited," he said. "I'm just thinking about the moment I get on the pitch and play for the Celtic fans. This is all I care about.

"When you speak about the Champions League, it's nothing. When you say Celtic, it's a big, big thing.

"Celtic is a big name, it's a big community. I'm happy to play for one of the best clubs in the world and I'm not thinking about other things.

"It's a big thing for me - a dream come true. All last week during the discussions I couldn't sleep. I just wanted to be where I am now.

"Now I just want one more thing - to see the fans happy."

Celtic face an uphill task if they are to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next term following their first leg 3-0 defeat to Portuguese side Braga.

But Kayal is just pleased to arrive at the club and admits manager Lennon was a key reason for the move.

Impressed

"I talked with the coach and I was very impressed," Kayal added, who will now return to Israel to sort out a work permit.

"I had heard a lot about him, I knew him as a player, he played in my position.

"After the discussions I found out that he was the guy who targeted me. He saw me on a lot of occasions. I'm happy he chose me and I'm happy to play for him.

"He told me he wants everyone to understand there is a new boss on the pitch, because in this position you are the boss. I do a dirty job and I work hard for the rest of my team-mates.

"I had other offers but I knew this was the right decision. After discussions with the coach, it guaranteed this was the right decision."