Welcome to Paradise, Oliver Sørensen! Now show us what you’ve got!

Dear Oliver,

Welcome to Celtic Football Club. Welcome to Paradise. Welcome to the madness, the passion, the expectation, the noise, the history and the beautiful chaos that comes with wearing that famous green-and-white jersey.

I have to say, Oliver, when I read your words about feeling lucky to be part of Celtic, I immediately smiled because you clearly understand something already. You haven’t simply joined another football club. You have joined Celtic, and there is a difference.

You came through Midtjylland, one of the biggest clubs in Denmark, won a league title there, and then took the step into Serie A with Parma. You already know what pressure, expectation and competition feel like, but you have also spoken about Celtic as another major step in your career, and I love hearing a new Celtic player talk like that.

Sometimes, when players arrive at Celtic, I wonder whether they fully understand what they have walked into. They see the stadium, the supporters, the trophies and the history, but it can take time before the penny really drops. Oliver, I hope you understand it very quickly because Celtic isn’t just about what happens between the white lines.

Celtic is about generations. It is about grandparents taking their grandchildren to Paradise, families passing their love of this club down through the years and people who have lived their entire lives with Celtic at the centre of them. When you pull that jersey over your head, you become part of that story.

That’s a privilege, and it is also a responsibility.

But from what you have said already, I have a very good feeling about you. You said that you love to attack, run, defend and tackle and that you are ready to give 100 per cent. Now that is the sort of thing I want to hear.

I don’t want players coming to Celtic simply to collect a wage, enjoy the city and occasionally kick a football about. I want players who understand that when you play for Celtic you have to fight, run, press, tackle, attack and defend. You get back up when you are knocked down and then do it all again.

I want players who don’t hide. I want players who want the ball when the pressure is enormous and who hear 60,000 Celtic supporters roaring and think, “Give me more.” Oliver, you sound like you might be one of those players.

You have also spoken about your peak years coming up, and I absolutely love that attitude. You are 24 and you have said that the next three or four years should be your peak and that you hope to give them to Celtic. Good.

You haven’t arrived believing that you have already reached the top. You have arrived believing that your best football is still ahead of you, and I want to see that development happen at Celtic. I want to see you become stronger, more confident and more experienced, and I want to see you walk onto that Celtic Park pitch one day and absolutely own it.

Yes, I am already expecting quite a lot from you. That’s the problem with me. I get excited, my Celtic imagination starts running away with itself and suddenly the new signing has scored the winner on a European night at Paradise before he has even played his first competitive minute.

But that’s what Celtic does to you. It makes you dream.

Speaking of Celtic Park, Oliver, I hope you are ready for it because there is nothing quite like walking out there in that jersey. The noise, the atmosphere, the flags, the songs and green and white everywhere you look all combine in that moment when you realise that this isn’t Denmark anymore.

This is Glasgow. This is Celtic.

Believe me, the Celtic support will love you if you give them everything. That’s all we ask. You don’t have to be perfect every single week, win every tackle or score in every match, but give us everything you have.

Run until your legs don’t want to run anymore. Fight for every ball. Get angry when we lose possession and celebrate the goals as if you have been a Celtic supporter your entire life. Understand what playing for this club means and supporters will recognise it immediately.

I also had a wee smile when I read that you had spoken to Erik Sviatchenko. Of course you did. Erik has already been here, experienced Celtic and understands the madness of this place. You have revealed that he congratulated you on the move and that you are going to call him for advice about all the good places to eat around Glasgow.

That’s brilliant. Listen to him, Oliver, although perhaps don’t believe everything he tells you. Glasgow has plenty of good places, but you have come here to play football first and foremost.

Still, there is something rather lovely about that connection. A former Celtic player welcoming another Dane into the family and giving him a little advice before he starts his own journey here.

Celtic demands a lot. The supporters demand a lot, the history demands a lot and the shirt demands a lot, but if you give everything, Oliver, I promise you something in return: the Celtic supporters will give you plenty back.

Their support, their songs, their passion and that feeling of belonging to something much bigger than yourself are all waiting for you if you embrace this club.

So, Oliver Sørensen, welcome to Paradise. Welcome to Glasgow and welcome to Celtic. I hope you settle quickly, love this city, love this club and love pulling on that green-and-white jersey.

Most importantly, I hope you give us exactly what you have promised: 100 per cent.

Because if you do that, Oliver, I have a feeling Celtic Park is going to love you.

Now go and prove yourself. Run, tackle, attack, fight and show us the player you believe you can become. Your peak years are coming? Well, Oliver, provided you impress us, provided we exercise our option (and if you do well, why wouldn’t we?) you’ve picked one hell of a place to spend them.

Welcome to Celtic, young man. Welcome to Paradise, and may this be the beginning of something very, very special. Hail Hail, Oliver.

Now get yourself out there and make that Celtic jersey your own.

The Hoops are waiting for you.

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