ALBI THERE FOR YOU

New Bhoy Albian Ajeti on reuniting with an old friend and helping the Hoops push for silverware

- JOE DONNELLY

ARRIVING as a new signing at Celtic Park must be an exciting, if daunting experience. At the foot of The Celtic Way stands a bronze statue of the club’s greatest ever captain, Billy McNeill, holding European football’s grandest prize aloft.

The Celtic Way itself is adorned with flags showcasing heroes from our history, each of who earned their place with generation-defining performances inside the arena ahead over the years.

The outer stadium display, one of the biggest in the world, charts the club’s headline achievements – from our charitable foundations in the late 19th century, to the Lisbon final of ‘67, the Centenary Double of ‘88, Stopping the 10 ten years later, and the Invincibles Treble of 2017 to name but a few.

Then into the boardroom, which houses the Paradise trophy cabinet, The Big Cup and all, alongside scores of club honours and tributes from all over the globe. Standing pitchside, even in front of an empty stand, is enough to make the hairs on the back of any player’s neck stand on end.

By the time Albian Ajeti, best known as Albi to friends and fans alike, arrives in the Celtic View office, his head is spinning. And who can blame him – between travelling, medicals, negotiations and all of the above, the 23-year-old striker has had a busy day, and it’s not even noon.

He says he’s followed Celtic for many years, particularly in European competition, and understands the high expectations and pressure placed on every player who pulls on the coveted green and white Hoops. The Swiss internationalist is serious, straight-faced and keen to show he means business. That is, until we mention the prospect of him reuniting with ex-Basel team-mate Mohamed Elyounoussi.