New Bhoy Joe Ledley has one target for the new season- the SPL title.
In an interview for Channel 67 that was probably filmed last week and kept under close wraps the midfielder looked focused and relaxed as he discussed his move from Cardiff to Glasgow.
Two rounds of talks with Neil Lennon convinced Ledley that Celtic was the right move with no soundbites about how to play the game, future projects or Barcelona coming from the Welsh internationalist.
“Hopefully we can bring the title back here,” he stated when asked for his message to the supporters. “I look forward to playing in front of the supporters and bringing some trophies to the club.
“I haven’t won anything in my career and want to win the league and cups as well. I’ve also got the opportunity to play in Europe as well.
“The fans expect you to win every game, it’s down to the players to do that.
“I’m only 23 and this is a massive step up, I feel that it’s the right time to leave Cardiff and improve my career.
“The deal has been going on for a couple of weeks, I looked around the club and the training facilities and was happy to get the contract signed and sorted out.
“Neil Lennon spoke to me, he flew my family up and has been terrific with me, that’s one of the main reasons that I’ve come to Celtic.
“I’m looking forward to working with Neil and his coaching staff.”
Ledley becomes the third Welshman in a decade to play for Celtic, following in the footsteps of Craig Bellamy and John Hartson.
Both players were taken to the hearts of the Celtic support with Ledley happy to take advise from the Manchester City striker before making his mind up.
“Craig told me that it would be a great move and that I’d enjoy myself,” Ledley added. “I’m looking forward to the start of the season and getting down to work in pre-season.
“Leaving Cardiff was a hard decision, I’d been at the club since the age of 9. My contract ran out and I felt that it was time to move on.
“I had some great memories from the club, it’s a great club and I hope that they can reach the Premiership but the time was right for me to move on.
“I’ve had a look around Glasgow and I think that I’ll settle in well, I’m looking forward to playing here.
“I don’t mind playing on the left or in the centre, for a 23-year-old I think that I have a lot of experience.”
Ledley will make his debut on July 27/28 when Celtic enter the third qualifying round for the Champions League with his domestic dubut coming at Inverness on August 14.
For any angrry Cardiff fans looking in perhaps they should remember how their club managed to sign Ross McCormack and Kevin McNaughton from Scotland.
Twelve months ago with Ledley’s contract ticking down and debts rising chairman Peter Ridsdale decided to spend £5m and the accompanying wages on Michael Chopra rather than addressing the Ledley issue by getting him onto a new contract or selling him for a transfer fee.
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