'Celtic is maybe bigger than I thought,' Barca Bhoy Alex Valle

The 20 year-old is on a season long loan at Celtic from Barcelona and seems to have settled in well and beginning to make his mark in the team. He played a significant part in Adam Idah’s goal of the season contender against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, looked assured against Dortmund in the second half after replacing the injured Greg Taylor and impressed at Ross County last weekend.

Valle has been talking about his early thoughts on life at Celtic and not surprisingly the Scottish weather merits a mention as you Alex fears it’s going to get much worse. And he’s been surprised at the actual size of Celtic as a football club.

“If I had to pick one thing that has surprised me I would choose that Celtic is maybe bigger than I thought, Valle said, as reported by Football Scotland. “I thought it wasn’t quite that big, and I didn’t expect such an atmosphere like the one we experienced at Paradise. The level of the game here in training and in each game as well is awesome. So, yeah, I’m really happy.

“I like living in Scotland. The weather is getting worse every day. But I have to wait until November or December. They have told me all about that! But Glasgow is a really good city and I’m enjoying it.

“I have close friends from Barcelona, who I talk with every week. They have been asking me about Celtic. Then there is my family as well. They have been coming to Scotland and enjoying it too. So, yeah, I’m happy in a personal way too,” Alex said.

Celtic are back in action a week today when Aberdeen are the visitors at Celtic Park and with Greg Taylor currently sidelined it looks like Valle will be starting in the biggest game of the season so far in the Scottish Premiership. Both sides are on 21 points after seven wins from seven and something is going to give. Celtic Park will be at capacity with Aberdeen also selling out their tickets and it’s a great opportunity for Valle to establish himself in Brendan Rodgers’ back four.

“I don’t know Greg’s situation right now. I just try to work for myself, and if I have the opportunity to play, I will give my best every game,” Valle said. “I don’t mind if it’s Aberdeen or if it’s another team. For me, every weekend I try my best and that’s it. It’s a healthy competition between us. Greg has helped me a lot since I came here. Obviously, for the position, he can advise me really well. He’s already a very good friend.”