Carlton Cole closing in on Celtic debut

Carlton Cole has expressed his delight at taking another step closer to his Celtic debut.

The 32-year-old former West Ham striker signed for the Scottish champions last month as a free agent until 2017 and in the bid to further build up his fitness he played in a bounce game against Livingston at the Hoops’ Lennoxtown training centre last week.

Cole did not get on the score sheet in the 4-1 victory but was happy to get an hour’s action ahead of the visit of Kilmarnock on Saturday where he will hope to get some game time.

“I needed that game last week because it has been so long since I’ve played,” he told Celtic View.

“Just being out there among the lads was great. It didn’t go the way I dreamed about it but it was a start.

“When it’s a start you’ve just got to take what you can. I worked hard, tried to influence it as much as I could, and that will come with more match sharpness and games.

“I was supposed to only play 45 minutes but with the person I am, if I feel like I can do a bit more, I’ll do it.

“I asked the manager if I could do an extra 15 and they all know where I’m at but I’ve got to control that to make sure I don’t get injured again. It’s a fine line.”

Great win & Absolutely loved the atmosphere today. Fans were jumping. Happy to be almost playing and being part of a great team.

— Carlton Cole (@CarltonCole1) November 8, 2015

Cole, who has seven caps for England, is more than happy to play the veteran’s role at Celtic as he looks for success this season with the Parkhead club.

He said: “I can use my experience to help those guys and try to implement that into my game when I’m playing for Celtic.

“It’s a different responsibility for me. Now I know that I’ve actually grown up because I’m the one who can impart advice.

“We have a good captain as well. Scott Brown’s brilliant and he keeps the players on their toes.

“We get along really well and I’m thankfully the type of guy who can walk into any changing room and just get along with people.

“That’s because I don’t want to let those players down, so I’ve got to work my hardest then all the glory and the glamour can come after that.

“As long as the dressing room’s tight and we’re winning games, that’s all that matters.”