New St Mirren signing Esmael Goncalves hopes to beat Celtic

Esmael Goncalves: 'I don't know much about St Mirren either but I have met with the coach Danny and he is a good guy. He is funny. I like him'

New St Mirren signing Esmael Goncalves is hoping to help lift the club past Celtic in their Scottish League Cup semi-final this weekend.

The 21-year-old Rio Ave striker has arrived in Paisley on a six-month loan deal and he is confident he can make an instant impact.

"A coach at my old club told me about St Mirren and said he thought it would be a good move for me," he said.

"He thought I could come here and score goals so I said 'yes' to the chance. I had only played eight games with Rio Ave this season, that is all. I was frustrated.

"I only know a bit about Scottish football, that it is a lot like English football, which I like.

"I don't know much about St Mirren either but I have met with the coach Danny and he is a good guy. He is funny. I like him.

"I trained with the squad and the standard was good. I'm not sure what will happen once my loan is up. We will see. It depends how I play."

Lennon said: "Esmael is a player who has been on our radar since before the transfer window opened. He's strong and quick and will hopefully bring goals.

"It shows a lot about the boy that he is prepared to come and expand his horizons and have a go at Scottish football.

"And what a baptism it could be on Sunday for him with a semi-final against Celtic to come."