Adam Matthews says he will turn down an Olympic call-up with Team GB to help Celtic qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Celtic defender says Champions League qualifier more important
Adam Matthews says he will turn down an Olympic call-up with Team GB to help Celtic qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage.
The Olympic football clashes with the third qualifying round of Europe's top club competition, the stage the Glasgow club will enter the competition, provided they secure the SPL title.
The Wales international had been linked with a spot in Stuart Pearce's side, but Matthews is keen to help the Hoops reach the group stages for the first time since 2008.
"I haven't heard anything about the Olympic team so we'll see what happens when that comes around," the 20-year-old said.
"I think my first goal would be with Celtic. If that was the case I would probably choose Celtic.
"Every footballer, even if you're not at Celtic, wants to play at the highest level.
"Watching the Champions League games, it's the place you want to be.
"If we finish top and win the league, hopefully we can get through to the group stages."
Title
Celtic will secure the title if they avoid defeat when they travel to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock on Saturday.
But Matthews knows they cannot take the game as a foregone conclusion after Killie humbled the Glasgow club in the Scottish League Cup final.
"Obviously the cup final wasn't a good day for us and even at the start of the season when we drew 3-3," added the full-back.
"It was a bad day at Hampden but we've put that behind us now and our next goal is to win the title on Saturday.
"They try to play football. They play a different style to a lot of SPL teams.
"They've got good players and are not afraid to try and pass it through your team.
"They are hard to play against but we're fully confident we can match them and hopefully go a step further."
