Invincible star says Sorensen has all the attributes to be a Celtic favourite
Earlier this week new Celtic signing Oliver Sorensen revealed that he sought the advice of former teammate and Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko over his impending move to Glasgow…
The Invincible hero has now spoken about Sorensen’s subsequent move to Celtic, and reckons Hoops supporters will love his fellow countryman’s energy, and all round dedication, which he likened to that of Kieran Tierney.
It’s been a while since we’ve had a player in the middle of the park who possess that mix of attributes but big Erik reckons his former Midtjylland teammate is the man to fill that void. And he also backed him to handle the pressure that comes with pulling on those famous green and white hoops to play for Celtic.
Sviatchenko said to journalist Alison McConnell: “As a player, he reminds me a lot of KT. He has that same energy but in the middle of the park – it is just sheer desire and hunger.
“He will run all day. He is a really physical, box-to-box midfielder. Celtic fans can expect assists and goals from him but even on a day when he is maybe not at is best, he is never one to hide. He gives 100 per cent all the time. I honestly believe he will thrive in the pressure that comes from playing for Celtic.
“When you are asked to go out and perform in front of 60,000 people every other week, there is a real pressure. That will be good for him. At Celtic there is an intensity to everything he will embrace.”
Sorensen won a big move to Parma last year but didn’t have the impact in Serie A he’d have liked, but Sviatchenko believes that his skillset will suit the Scottish game, and backed the 24 year old to thrive in the physical demands of the Scottish top flight due to his razor sharp fitness levels.
“He is ready for this step. He is suited to the physical demands of the Scottish game. At Midtjylland, whenever we did the bleep test in training, he would do mad numbers. He could run until the sun went down, many times when the rest of us were on our knees.
“We’d be dying and he would still be going. He is physically very strong and athletic. I also think he is coming to Celtic at a really good time in his career. He is only 24, has a lot of football behind him but has a point to prove now as well because it maybe did not go the way he wanted it to in Italy.
“Also, he is not just a player who can run hard – he is technically a good player. And I felt he raised his game when we were playing in Europe with Midtjylland. Having played with him and at Celtic, I can honestly say I fully expect he’ll fly in Glasgow.
“He has so many qualities that will not only be useful to the team and how they play but the way he conducts himself will also endear him to the support.”
Sviatchenko wrote his name into the Celtic history books for being a part of Brendan Rodgers’ Invincible side of 2016/17, but soon feel out of the picture after suffering a knee injury, and he admitted he’s a bit jealous of his compatriots Sorensen and Kasper Hogh as they get to experience the demands and prestige that come with playing for Celtic.
Sviatchenko, who has just signed for Port FC in Thailand, said: “One of my very good friends is friendly with Kasper and we share a similar aesthetic. He is someone who says what he thinks and he is another who will find another level in Glasgow. I am a little bit jealous of Kasper and Oliver now!
“They have so many fun times ahead of them at Celtic and it is a very special club to play for. My family and I are planning on being back in Glasgow very soon as we still have friends there and we have so many happy memories. We will, of course, be at Celtic Park and I’m excited to take my kids along.
“Oliver was going to Celtic anyway and had his mind made up when I spoke to him. But I was more than happy to tell him all the wonderful things he can expect. My only message to him was the fans will love him if he continues to give his best in every game the way I have seen him do.”
