Brendan Rodgers told his Celtic players the importance of remembering their own talents and ability ahead of tonight’s Europa League against Valencia, but Oliver Burke didn’t need much convincing.

The on-loan Scotland internationalist has packed in the miles in a career that is still in its infancy but he has maintained that the players he is working alongside now at Celtic are as good as those he encountered in Germany and England.

Burke already knew the likes of Callum McGregor and James Forrest from Scotland duty. Getting a closer look at them on a day-to-day level has lent him the view that the Celtic perennials don’t always get the credit they deserve.

“I think sometimes you have to take a look at yourself and realise how good we are as a team,” said Burke. “Obviously you have to look at the opposition, their formation and how they play as a team. But it’s also important to realise our qualities.

“I think they [McGregor and Forrest] are very much under-rated when you look at the Scottish boys.

“Scottish football is sort of looked down upon, I don’t know why. Some of the boys in the Celtic squad I am now playing beside have better quality than what I played with in Germany or in the Premier League with West Brom.

“I see it. But I guess everybody else has to watch us play and realise how good the quality is we have in our team. Then they will know.”

This evening will be an opportunity for Celtic to showcase that against the Spaniards. The expectancy is that it will be Burke who is charged with leading the line against Valencia, with Odsonne Edouard fit but short on game time following his injury issues.

Burke, by contrast, has scored three goals from his last six starts since arriving at Celtic on loan in the January transfer window with the player revelling in the chance to continue his tutelage under Rodgers.

“I’m learning a lot,” said the forward. “That’s one of the reasons I came to Celtic. I knew I would get great confidence off the manager and that he would help me out a lot, on and off the pitch.

“We have meetings about things and I am learning a different style, playing as a striker. There is a lot I need to take on board. I also need to learn about my new team-mates and how the team works together.

“I’ll play anywhere, especially given the position I was in. I am happy to play anywhere. I did come in as a winger but we discussed being a striker as well and it has really worked. It has worked really well with the team and I am happy there and I am learning a different position because it gives me flexibility on the pitch as well.”

And for Burke, the feeling that he is front and centre of what is going on is crucial to finding his confidence and his form.

“I’m just enjoying myself,” said the 21-year-old. “I’m happy to be enjoying my football again. I knew a few of the boys already, so they helped me bed in. We have a really good chemistry just now and feel on a real high.

“As a player you want to be playing with confidence and know that the manager believes in you. Sometimes a manager can look at the negatives of your game a bit too much and it defeats the facts of what you are really good at and then it fades away. You have to look at yourself and what you can do and wait for your opportunity when it comes and prove them wrong. I feel I am doing that now and I am happy.

“I haven’t had that because I hadn’t had a run of games. I have had a good run of games here which has given me a lot of confidence and I have been able to showcase what I can do and what I am good at. You can only do that with getting minutes on the pitch and time and I am really happy with it.”

Burke is in good company when it comes to players converting from wingers to forwards; Thierry Henry started off on the flank before making his name as an out-and-out striker, while Kylian Mbappe’s pace has been utilised to great effect in that role.

The commonality that Burke has is his speed and he appreciates that his education at Celtic in this current loan spell could give rise to a long-term switch.

“Great players have changed positions and roles as they have continued and progressed,” he said. “I like it, I like it a lot. I am enjoying the position. I like leading the line. Maybe it’s somewhere that can become a proper position for me.

“At the moment, I just have to keep learning the position and learning off the manager, soaking everything he tells me all in, put it out there and use it on the pitch.”

Burke has admitted to some nerves ahead of his European debut but is more excited than apprehensive.

“I have heard it’s very lively, which I am looking forward to,” he smiled. “I know it is going to be a big occasion. But I think the boys are sort of playing it down to me at the minute, just trying to keep me focused on the game and not trying to rile me up to much. But I am excited. It will be a first for me. I am looking forward to it. I can get a little bit nervous, but I think it is good to have nerves.”