Andreas Hinkel believes that moving to Celtic will help him get back into the German national squad.
Defender looking for German recall
Andreas Hinkel believes that moving to Celtic will help him get back into the German national squad.
The full-back made only 15 appearances for Sevilla during a torrid 18-month spell in Spain and his international career suffered as a result.
Unable to dislodge Daniel Alves from the right-back spot, Hinkel is hoping that a move to Celtic Park will give him the opportunity to stake his claim to Joachim Low in time to make his country's Euro 2008 squad.
If he is to be successful then Hinkel will need to buck the trend which has seen countrymen Andreas Thom, Jorg Albertz, Stefan Klos and Christian Nerlinger all see their international careers suffer after moving to Scotland.
Perfect
"I had the opportunity to visit the club last week and the level of professionalism and organisation that I found led me to make the decision to sign," he said through an interpreter.
"Celtic is the perfect club for me.
"Celtic's recent Champions League record is part of the decision.
"But the main reason for my decision is that I want to be part of the national team again and if I play well then I will automatically be part of it.
Tradition
"I didn't speak to former players but I know that there were several German players who have played in Scotland.
"But I asked other people if it was the right decision to come here.
"They told me that the Scots are open-minded, friendly and that it would be a good decision to come.
"The whole world knows this club and its traditional colours of green and white.
"They were the first British club to win the Champions League (then the European Cup) so I know the club's history and its importance."
