AMIDO BALDE has staked his claim for a starting place in Celtic's crucial Champions League encounter in Amsterdam by telling Neil Lennon that he has been doing some swotting ahead of the trip to Ajax.
The unconventional Portuguese striker says he has spent his time on the bench constructively, scrutinising every move of Georgios Samaras and Anthony Stokes, so that he is ready to play with either forward should he be required. Indeed, he went a step further by suggesting he can make an immediate impact against the Dutch champions on November 6.
Balde came off the bench to net Celtic's winner against Partick Thistle at Firhill last Sunday, to add to his goals against Kilmarnock and Liverpool in a friendly, but now the £2m summer signing from Vitoria Guimaraes has his sights on the second instalment of the Group H double-header.
The 22-year-old was an unused substitute in Celtic's 2-1 win over Ajax last Tuesday and in the defeat by Barcelona at Celtic Park.
However, Lennon is likely to be without injured talisman Kris Commons again, while neither Samaras nor Stokes has looked comfortable in the lone striker role the Celtic manager uses on the road in Europe. At 6ft 4in, Balde offers an alternative approach. "Yes I could play, it's possible," Balde declared. "I never doubt myself. That is why I am here working hard every single day. I am not one of those players who gives up easily. I am motivated here. I want to play against Barcelona and against Ajax and it's just a case of working hard and convincing the manager.
"I was on the bench for Barcelona and Ajax at home and watching closely. I want to progress and take more responsibility. It's much more difficult coming into a game from the bench and fit in immediately. The goal against Partick was obviously very important for myself and for the club. I am still new here and eager to learn. I always watch Anthony Stokes and Georgios Samaras. Even when I am not playing, and sitting on the bench, I watch them and take note of their movement and how they play."
Balde insists that he feels no pressure in living up to his £2m price tag, but admitted that it was good to hear an endorsement of his potential from another Portuguese striker who was an icon with the Celtic support, Jorge Cadete.
"It was not easy for me at first, having to adapt to coming here," said Balde. "I know Celtic want a forward who will score goals, but I am calm and I am prepared to take my time because I know the goals will come. It's all about learning at this stage. If there is one thing I've got more than anything else, it is patience. I'm not one of those players who will get sad if I am not playing every week. I'm eager to work and to learn. That's why I am here. I know I will have to grow up quickly here. I am not going to let the manager down but I know Celtic is a huge club, you can see that from our Champions League games.
"It's always good to receive praise from the manager. I feel very good here. Celtic is a family and that motivates me to make an impression and play more but I will not be resting on my laurels because I've done that. I have known about Cadete) since Celtic were interested in me, when I was on loan at Cercle Bruges from Sporting Lisbon, and that's when I became interested in the club and started learning about it and what Cadete did here."
With Samaras likely to be rested on Saturday against Dundee United to protect his cut knee, Balde could start and yesterday the club had him promoting ticket sales for the game.
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