Champions League aim for Danish defender

Champions League. I had a taste of winning with Midtjylland and I want more of this feeling at Celtic. ‘When you play football, you want to be remembered for winning and I want to be remembered as a winner with Celtic. ‘I know we have a squad of really talented players and I can’t wait to get started, team up with them and get to work.’ Sviatchenko, 24, who has four caps for Denmark and is expected to form a centraldefensive partnership with Jozo Simunovic, helped Midtjylland reach the last 32 of this season’s Europa League in which they will play Manchester United next month. But instead, he has opted to join fellow Scandinavian Deila with a view to helping him win the Treble and finally cracking his so far unconvincing attempts to reach the Champions League group stage. And Sviatchenko will presumably have one eye on following his defensive predecessor Virgil van Dijk from Parkhead to the Barclays Premier League. His former club bid him a fond farewell last night and insisted he had played a key role in helping them win their league last season. ‘Erik has made a difference and was one of the reasons why we became Danish champions,’ said sporting director Claus Stenlein. ‘We’ve got a really good price for Erik. At the same time, we are always proud when we develop an academy player who goes all the way and is sold abroad. ‘It remains an important part of the club’s DNA.’ Celtic also want Sviatchenko’s compatriot Rasmus Falk to join him at Parkhead in a cut-price deal. But the 24-year-old’s agent last night warned they will have to fight off at least four other clubs if they want to land the highly-rated winger from Danish club OB. They face competition from Champions League conquerors Malmo, Lille, Brondby and Midtjylland themselves. German teams are also understood to also be interested. Falk’s agent, Mads Bach Lund, said: ‘There is huge interest in Rasmus from abroad. ‘We have also dismissed several options from teams because our gut feeling was that it wasn’t right. ‘We are thorough and we must ensure everything fits together so he can continue his good development. ‘Yes, he has the opportunity to go abroad, but it is not economics that will tilt the balance — it is the prospect of playing regularly.’ Falk would cost a nominal fee since he is out of contract in June. He has one international cap, gained in 2013 against Malta.