IN the city that never sleeps, Gary Mackay-Steven discovered that he will never be able to truly escape being a Celtic player.

The midfielder has spoken before about his newfound fame following a January move from Dundee United, be it supporters stopping him in the street or being bothered by autograph hunters while filling his bags at the supermarket.

However, even in the middle of Manhattan, while on downtime somewhere downtown, he didn't have to wait long until, among the two million people who inhabit that island at any one time, there was one who reminded him that like his choice of holiday destination, being Celts in the City, if you will, is a 24/7 thing.

"I went to New York with Stuart Armstrong for a few days at the start of the break," recalled Mackay-Steven. "On the first day, we were sitting in a coffee shop when a guy wearing a Celtic top walked past. He didn't see us, so we thought it would be funny if we went outside. I ran and caught up with him and said in a American accent 'Oh my God, are you a Celtic fan?'

"He turned around and was really surprised. He was shocked but it was funny. It was a spur of the moment thing. We'd sat for about a second after we'd seen him walk past then I chased him and tapped him on the shoulder. It was the worst American accent ever.

"He was delighted to see us and we got a picture taken with him and stuff. I think he was definitely Scottish and was out on holiday. But it's worldwide, you see people in Celtic kits anywhere you go. It was nice."

This story rather sums up the 24-year-old. Not many players would chase after their own supporters. Indeed, more than likely they would wear a disguise so they could go about their business without any hassle, which is understandable.

Mackay-Steven is not the type to turn his head away when people come up to him in the street. In fact, when he met the written press at Lennoxtown, where he was promoting the Parkhead side's new away kit, he said; "It's nice to see you guys."

That was a first. He'll learn.

"It's massively important for me to stay grounded. I don't think I can change. I've been grounded since I started in football," said the Celtic man. "The fans have been nice with me from day one and stuff like over there was a little bit of fun. I'm happy to see their reaction and to engage with them was great.

"I think it's just a little bit you can give back to people by saying hello and posing for a picture. It's part of the job and I enjoy that side of it."

Don't for a moment think that this all-round niceness will work against him. The soft-spoken Highlander is a fine player and one utterly determined to bring even more success to Celtic Park.

He and Armstrong were identified last year by Ronny Deila as two players who should be brought to the club to enhance the team's chance of success in Europe, which this summer is getting through all three qualifying rounds, starting in next month against Iceland's FC Stjarnan.

Asked whether he relished the responsibility of being one of those bought specifically because the manager believes he is good enough to live with Europe's best, Mackay-Steven said: "I feel that's part of my job and I'm ready for that. I want to play a big part in helping this club qualify for everything and do well in everything. I feel ready for that and I'm relishing the opportunities. These are going to be massive games for the club as well as the supporters and for us players too.

"The boys have just come back but we can't wait for the games to start. This is why I'm so happy to be here, for the big games. You've just got to enjoy them, play your own game and be confident."

Mackay-Steven played in both Europa League ties against Inter Milan last season, an experience he thoroughly enjoyed but one he insisted was not as important as what lies in store over the next few weeks.

"Those games are gone and they were big but these are big games now. Every game here is big," he said. "When you're a Celtic player, you're expected to do well in every single game you play and this is a big stage where we definitely want to get back into the Champions League.

"It won't be easy but we will prepare right and treat it like any other game. We'll be ready."

Mackay-Steven never made it past the first round of games with Dundee United in their brief European adventures, so understandably there is little chance of underestimating Celtic's Iceland opponents.

"I'm sure we'll do our homework on them," he said. "We'll see videos of them before and no matter your opponents, you treat everyone with massive respect.

"You see different styles from different teams on the continent and they all bring something different to the table. You just have to adapt and show how good you are. I've only been in one round each season with United. Sometimes the games have been close and other times they've not been.

"Either way, you know you're going to be in a game with these different styles but here the plan is to go far. We got knocked out by a goal a couple of times with United and we did well against Dynamo Moscow team then got beaten quite convincingly away.

"That's added to my experience and there have definitely been lessons learned all throughout those games. That bodes well for the future."