Nat Phillips: I’m ready to play my part for Celtic

Nat Phillips has enjoyed training with some of his new Celtic team-mates over the past couple of weeks, and that will step up in the next couple of days as the rest of the squad returns from international duty.

And the 26-year-old defender, who has joined the Hoops on loan until January, is now looking forward to pulling on the green and white Hoops and playing his part for the team, having already seen his new team win the Glasgow derby two weeks ago.

Speaking at Celtic Park today, the Englishman said: “I’ve felt like it hasn’t taken me long to settle in. The lads have been great with me, the staff have been great with me. I’ve moved into a flat now so it’s all been very smooth and I’m enjoying it.

“I had to watch the derby from inside, so I could hear the atmosphere but I didn’t get to see it for myself.

‘That game obviously has a huge reputation and I think the lads did well to get the result.’

“I was already really excited about Celtic before that game, but it certainly gave me a taste and an idea as to what it’s all about. I just want to get playing games for the club and get contributing.

“We didn’t dwell on it for too long. Obviously the lads were happy but with it being the international break so there have been a few days off.

“Once everyone was back in, it was back to training and back to working hard and working towards the next game which is coming up.”

Next up for Brendan Rodgers’ side is a home match against Dundee this Saturday, and the target will be another three points.

For Phillips, it could present the first opportunity to play for his new team, and it’s something he’s looking forward to.

“I’ve gone through a period at Liverpool where I’ve not been playing a great deal,” he explained, “and, ultimately, in the transfer window I needed to get playing games regularly.

“Celtic has given me a great opportunity to do that at a good level and at a huge club, one with a stadium that’s always packed full of passionate fans, which, as player, that’s what you want to be doing.

“You want to be playing in those atmospheres, and at a club who have aspirations and high expectations which, again, as a player, you want to be pushing towards, and that’s something which Celtic gives me.”