Stefan Scepovic has insisted his £2.3-million price tag is not a millstone round his neck.
Celtic shelled out the seven-figure fee to Sporting Gijon for the Serbian’s services in the summer.
It was an eventful business the striker pulled out of the deal following the Hoops’ Champions League exit only to then change his mind again.
But since his arrival, his time on the pitch has been a good deal quieter.
He has only scored two goals, a tally that pales in comparison to the 11 netted by fellow new arrival, John Guidetti.
That has prompted some supporters to question whether the outlay was value for money.
“That doesn’t bother me. The amount of money Celtic paid is not pressure for me,” said the 24-year-old, who hopes to get a run-out in Thursday’s Europa League tie away to Croatia Zagreb.
“Your value is what it is because you have done well.
“Obviously I had a good season with Sporting before I came here (he scored 22 goals) and the club wanted to get some money for me because we didn’t have a good season in the Spanish Second Division.
“For a striker, the game is about scoring goals. That is the most important thing, so I know I can do it and I am sure that the goals will come.
“The manager has said in the newspapers that he believes in me and I was happy to read what he said because it is very important to have that backing. I hope that I will get more chances.
“I am happy here. I need to continue to train hard then get a chance to prove myself. If I continue doing what I am doing then I am sure the goals will come.”
There have been, Scepovic argues, mitigating factors in his defence.
“It’s not been easy for me,” he said. “I came from a different league, so it has taken time to adapt to playing in Scotland.
“I’m satisfied that I am working really hard whenever I get on the pitch. But of course I can do more.”
The use of that word ‘whenever’ is significant. A combination of Guidetti’s success and tactical considerations have restricted his game time.
“John is scoring a lot of goals at the moment, while Leigh Griffiths is also now back in the team,” he said.
“While that is the case, it is not easy for me or the others to get a game, especially as sometimes we only play with one striker.
“Of course, it is difficult when you aren’t playing but the most important thing is the team and that we win the games.
“It is good for the team to have such good players and competition for the team because it means everyone has to give their best.
“And you can see it works because we lead the League and are still in the Europa League and domestic cup competitions, too.”
Meanwhile Dinamo Zagreb skipper Domagoj Antolic has apologised to his team’s fans for their dire Europa League campaign.
Although the Croatian champions kicked off their Group D schedule with a 5-1 demolition of Astra Giurgiu, Antolic and his team-mates then slumped to four straight defeats.
“The campaign was a disaster,” said the 24-year-old midfielder. “ I must say sorry to the fans for letting them down so badly.
“But in the last four games, perhaps our best performance was against Celtic in Scotland. They were saved by their goalkeeper, who was superb, and the crossbar.
“Our front players, especially Wilson Eduardo, exposed the Celtic defenders as being slow to react at times and we want to make chances again.”
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