Kayal pledges to bring happiness to Celtic once more

BERAM Kayal has promised to make Celtic fans happy again after claiming playing in the Champions League meant nothing compared to starring for "one of the best clubs in the world".

Kayal's hopes of appearing in the Champions League for a second successive season suffered a huge blow this week when Celtic slumped to a 3-0 first leg defeat to Sporting Braga in the third qualifying round.

The Israel midfielder completed his move from Maccabi Haifa yesterady morning as Celtic fans faced up to the fact that their European season looks like ending next Wednesday.

Kayal played in last season's group stages but the 22-year-old insisted signing for Celtic was all he needed to make him happy as he follows in the footsteps of boyhood idol Eyal Berkovic.

"I came here so happy, so excited," Kayal said through an interpreter after agreeing a four-year contract.

"I'm just thinking about the moment I get on the pitch and play for the Celtic fans. This is all I care about. When you speak about the Champions League, it's nothing. When you say Celtic, it's a big, big thing.

"Celtic is a big name, it's a big community. I'm happy to play for one of the best clubs in the world and I'm not thinking about other things.

"It's a big thing for me - a dream come true. All last week during the discussions I couldn't sleep. I just wanted to be where I am now."

When asked if Celtic were well-known in Israel, he said: "Who has not heard of Celtic? Someone who is dealing in basketball. Everyone in Israel has huge respect for Celtic."