Virgil van Dijk the 'inspiration' for Celtic new boy Gustaf Lagerbielke
The Swede joined the club for ÂŁ3million from Elfsborg
New Celtic signing Gustaf Lagerbielke is excited to be following in the footsteps of his "inspiration" Virgil van Dijk.
The centre-back signed for Celtic on Wednesday after moving from Swedish league leaders Elfsborg.
The 23-year-old was brought in following the departure of fellow Swede Carl Starfelt to Celta Vigo and has many more compatriots to choose from if he wants to find more encouragement that he can be a success in Glasgow, including the likes of Henrik Larsson and Johan Mjallby.
Lagerbielke admitted the Swedish connection was a factor in moving to Celtic, given his countrymen adapted so well to life in Scotland.
But it was another former Celtic player who Lagerbielke looked up to as an aspiring defender.
"Virgil van Dijk, who has been here before, is a huge inspiration," he said in his first media conference at Celtic Park.
"Also how he is outside of the pitch, he is very professional and keen on getting better all the time. And on the pitch of course with his leadership, duelling and passing, he is a really good player.
"He was a great player for Celtic and did a lot of good things, so he is an inspiration."
Lagerbielke joins Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh and summer signing Maik Nawrocki in the ranks of Brendan Rodgers' central defenders.
When asked to tell Celtic fans what kind of player he is, he said: "I would describe myself as a player who loves to win, who does everything for the team. I can handle both short and long-range passes, good in duelling and in the air and hopefully scores a few goals."
Lagerbielke won his first Sweden cap earlier this year and is determined to do everything he can to be a success in his career.
"I put a lot of time and effort into optimising how I am on the pitch - sleep, nutrition and everything around that," he said.
"If you are a footballer and you feel well in your life then you perform better on the pitch.
"It's the whole package now, you just try to get it all as good as possible to perform on the pitch.
"In my former teams I have taken a lot of responsibility myself to develop and invest in my career."
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Founded in 1888, Willie Maley was Celtic's first manager and one of the most successful managers in Scottish football history. He managed the club from 1897 to 1940, winning thirty major trophies (16 league championships and 14 Scottish Cups).
Jimmy McStay (circled) managed Celtic between 1940 and 1945. However, this clashed with the suspension of the League and Scottish Cup during wartime, meaning he never had the opportunity to manage the club in official competitions.
All-time leading goalscorer in top-flight British football Jimmy McGrory managed Celtic from 1945 to 1965. He won one First Division trophy, two Scottish League Cups, two Scottish Cups, four Glasgow Cups, one Coronation Cup, one Saint Mungo Cup and four Glasgow Charity Cups.
Jock Stein managed Celtic from 1965 to 1978 and guided Celtic to nine successive Scottish League championships between 1966 and 1974. He also won one European Cup, eight Scottish Cups, six Scottish League Cups, five Glasgow Cups and one Drybrough Cup.
Billy McNeil managed Celtic from 1978 to 1983. McNeil won three Scottish League titles, one Scottish Cup, one Scottish League Cup and one Glasgow Cup.
McNeil returned from 1987 to 1991 where he won one Scottish League title and two Scottish Cups.
David Hay managed Celtic from 1983 to 1987 and won one Scottish League title and one Scottish Cup.
Liam Brady managed Celtic from 1991 to 1993 but failed to win any trophies.
Lou Macari managed Celtic from 1993 to 1994 but he failed to win any trophies.
Tommy Burns managed Celtic from 1994 to 1997 and he won one Scottish Cup.
Wim Jansen managed Celtic from 1997 to 1998 and won One Scottish Premier Division Title and One Scottish League Cup.
Jozef Venglos managed Celtic from 1998 to 1999 but did not win any trophies
John Barnes managed Celtic from 1999 to 2000 but did not win any trophies.
Kenny Dalglish managed Celtic in 2000 and won one Scottish League Cup
Martin O'Neil managed Celtic from 2000 to 20005 and won three Scottish Premier Leagues, three Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup.
Gordon Strachan managed Celtic from 2005 to 2009 and won three consecutive Scottish Premier League Titles, one Scottish Cup and two Scottish League Cups.
Tony Mowbray managed Celtic from 2009 to 2010 but failed to win any trophies.
Neil Lennon managed Celtic from 2010 to 2014 and he won three Scottish Premier League titles and two Scottish Cups.
Lennon returned from 2019 to 2021, where he won two more League titles, two Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup.
Ronny Delia managed from 2014 to 2016 where he won two Scottish Premierships and one Scottish League Cup.
Brendan Rodgers managed Celtic from 2016 to 2019 where he won two Scottish Premierships, two Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups.
Ange Postecoglou took over as Celtic manager in 2021 and has won a Scottish League Cup.