Celtic new boy James McCarthy has rubbished suggestions his fitness problems are a concern and insists he's ready to go at the Hoops.
The boyhood Celtic fan admitted it was a dream come true to sign on the dotted line for the club and now he hopes he can kick on and 'do well'.
McCarthy's injury issues have been flagged up as a potential problem among sections of the support and by pundits but the Ireland international isn't having it.
He insists he has been fit for much of the last two seasons and reckons he's at the perfect age to make an impact at Celtic Park.
The former Everton and Crystal Palace star is targeting a place in the team but is unsure when he'll get the nod from Ange Postecoglou.
He's yet to train with his new teammates because they were in the Czech Republic for Europa League action while he worked on his fitness at Lennoxtown.
But he said: I’m a good age to come here and I’m excited. I want a new challenge, I want to make sure I do well here and I’m fully focused on doing well for this club.
“I feel good I have been training on my own. I’ve been training at Lennoxtown the last couple of days so I feel good and they’re happy enough with what I’ve been doing away from the club.
“I’ll be back involved with the team tomorrow. I don’t know if it’s this week, next week, two weeks. I just need to wait and see what the manager says.
“The club have put a bit of faith in me and I’m looking forward to repaying that.
“To be fair, the last two years I have been fit for the majority of games – near enough them all.
“Last season I had a wee issue. Nothing serious. I think I was out for two or three weeks with it.
“Apart from that, I’ve been fit and ready to go. It’s just been one way or another why I haven’t been selected but, as I said, I’m delighted to be here and really looking forward to a new challenge.”
