Nadir Ciftci will return to Celtic for pre-season training determined to be a part of Brendan Rodgers plans for the new term.
Last summer’s striking signing was packed off to Turkey during the January transfer window where he had an explosive time as Eskisehirspor were relegated.
Ciftci was preferred to Leigh Griffiths in the Champions League qualifiers against Stjarnan and Qarabag but toiled to make any sort of impact.
The signings of Carlton Cole and Colin Kazim Richards indicated how far down the pecking order Ciftci had drifted with that trio of signing expected to be moved on as Rodgers makes his mark on the club.
Ciftci has no intention of being pushed out the picture and has his mind set on forcing his way into Rodgers front line strike force.
“I would never give up on Celtic, I couldn’t do that,” he told The Scottish Sun. “Next season is a fresh start for me.
“I have followed everything that’s been happening at the club because my heart is still there. I read some stories claiming I didn’t want to go back. That is not true. I want to play for Celtic.
“I had different offers when I signed last summer but I sat down with my agent, Pierre van Hooijdonk, and we decided it was the perfect move.
“It was a challenge for me and I still believe I can succeed if I get the chance next season. I am determined to come back and play for Celtic. The new manager will have fresh ideas.
“Suddenly everything can change for one or two players. Suddenly there can be sunshine. Leigh is the perfect example that things can change very quickly.
“Scott Brown and Leigh were really good when I was out of the team and I asked their advice. Leigh told me how he had almost left Celtic last season but had stayed strong and kept fighting.
“He got the chance and look at him now. He’s unstoppable. He’s breaking records with his goals. Leigh is an inspiration. I want to be a success like him and hopefully that can happen when I return.”
Ciftci scored four league goals last season including a double at St Johnstone in December whilst Griffiths was out injured.
The size of Deila’s squad made squad rotation a necessity with Ciftci at a loss as to where he stood under the man that signed him for Celtic.
“At Motherwell away in October, we won 1-0 and I scored, it gave me a special buzz,” the 24-year-old explained. “It was a good game for me but after 60 minutes I was taken off, without any explanation.
“The next week, I was back on the bench again and again I didn’t know what was behind it.
When that happens, you ask yourself ‘What am I doing wrong?’
“The manager said to me after Motherwell ‘You played really well’ — but then I wasn’t in the team next week. Mentally, that is very difficult for a player. I asked for an explanation but I didn’t really get it.
“I don’t want to blame everything about me not playing a lot on the manager. I would never do that but when you ask why and you don’t get an explanation, it’s difficult. If reasons had been put in front of me, then fine. I would have looked at them and tried to improve.”
