NEW Celtic signing Osaze Urhoghide has insisted he will have no problems coping with the physicality of Scottish football and vowed to “leave a little mark” on rival strikers in the 2021/22 season

Urhoghide, who is hoping to feature for the Parkhead club in their opening pre-season friendly against his former club Sheffield Wednesday in Newport in Wales this afternoon, has spent his entire career to date to England.

However, the 21-year-old centre half has no concerns about his ability to adapt to the game in this country – and pledged not to let the leading marksmen at Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibernian and Rangers bully him when the Premiership gets underway next month.  

“I will bring a lot of energy to the team and hard work,” he said. “I will do what other people want me to do. I am just trying to be the best that I can be and get to the next level. I will work hard for the team on the pitch, work hard for everyone and try to help the team win games.”

“I do like a tackle. I am known for my love of a tackle, to get stuck in. Sometimes people don’t like it, but it does the job sometimes. It is effective and it helps the team, helps other players do what they want to do.

“I will make sure from early on that they know what I’m about. I will leave a little mark on them early.”

Meanwhile, Urhoghide has recalled how former Scotland internationalist Barry Bannan, his captain at Sheffield Wednesday and a huge Celtic supporter, helped to sell him on a switch to Parkhead this summer.

“He grew up with Scottish football,” he said. “He was telling me about the passion of the fans. He is a Celtic fan as well. He told me about the fans, their love for the club and the way it is here. But I didn’t expect the fans to be so passionate.

“He is supportive. He helped me at Wednesday last season as well. He was always speaking to me when I was playing.  I had a word with him recently as well.”

The Netherlands-born, England-raised defender admitted he is looking forward to playing in front of the Celtic support in the forthcoming season when Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed and fans are allowed back through the turnstiles. 

“Football without fans is so much different,” he said. “It’s just not the same when you score. At the end of the day, we want to do the job, whether the fans are there or not, but it’s very important to share it with the fans. We need fans back in the stadiums, supporting their teams.”