Bosun Lawal reveals ex Celtic star who was biggest influence on him and why he knew Hoops was right move

It is hoped Bosun Lawal can have a big career at Celtic after showing his credentials in England's League One last season.

Despite Fleetwood suffering relegation, their Hoops loanee was their shining light as he played at centre back and in midfield under Scott Brown, who signed him, Lee Johnson and Charlie Adam. His form was such that there are now clubs a league up in the English Championship interested in a loan for next season.

The man himself reckons his spell at the Seasiders may have been the making of him as it helped build him up physically. Playing three games a week made him firstly realise he was not as fit as first thought but then also helped him get there.

He said: "I enjoyed going on pre-season with Celtic, but it was a blow in terms of the work. Just seeing how these players at that level cope with everything is like, 'Wow, how do you do it?'.

"I played with Chris Jullien and the whole game he wouldn't stop talking to me. He just made everything so easy for me, even though I was nervous.

"But a lot of the players speak to you, make you feel so relaxed and tell you what to do. That helps a lot I'm not one to talk during a game, though? I just go around being me!"

Lawal was signed from Watford as a youngster despite being highly rated for the future by the Hornets. And he has now detailed the reasons behind making that choice.

He added: "When Celtic were interested, a couple of other clubs came in. But as soon as I heard Celtic, being an Irish person, you know how big Celtic is.

"So I thought, 'Yeah, I'm going to go to Celtic and actually challenge myself'. I was experiencing a different town and different culture, so yeah, that's what I did."