Kayal aiming for Euro success

Beram Kayal: Focused on Celtic's Champions League prospects despite transfer rumours

Celtic midfielder Beram Kayal is relishing the prospect of playing in the Champions League again after returning to action after a horror 2011/12 season.

Kayal started on Saturday as Celtic made a solid start to the SPL season with a 1-0 home win over Aberdeen.

Apart from a substitute appearance on the final day of last season, Kayal had been on the sidelines for eight months after ankle surgery.

After making his comeback, Kayal now wants to help Celtic stay on course to reach the Champions League group stage when they take a 2-1 lead to HJK Helsinki.

Kayal, who started the first leg on the bench, firmly believes Celtic have the talent to progress on Wednesday night.

Confidence

He said in the Daily Record: "We are feeling good after winning two home games. That has been important for the confidence of the players and we now need to do the job on Wednesday to finish our work.

"We have great players and talent but we need to go step by step for the Champions League and win games, especially the one in Helsinki.

"Everything is possible in football after two years together as a squad with the manager we are building something good."

Boss Neil Lennon admitted in the summer that a star name may have to leave, should Celtic fail to reach the group stages, but Kayal is determined to stay positive, after being linked with Southampton.

He added: "Playing for Celtic is the best feeling I've had in football but the Champions League is something different. I'm waiting to hear the music for the Champions League at Celtic Park and I'm hoping we can do it.

"I want to get back to enjoying every day because it's a hard feeling to wake up every morning feeling pain and not being able to do things you like to do.

"I have a plan and that's to play well and give my best for Celtic."