Why Celtic are buzzing about their in-form teammate

What are your thoughts on the new deal?

I’m delighted. As you get a wee bit older, you don't take it for granted. It's obviously another deal that I've signed with the club to extend my stay. I'm absolutely delighted and just want to keep contributing. Even though I’m one of the oldest in the team, I'm enjoying it more than ever. Every day I’m happy to be here working hard and being part of this team.

Is it a nice compliment that they still rate you to offer you an extension?

I think it's a good fit. I said it in pre-season or towards the end of last season, I think it's been good for the club and for myself. I think both [parties] have benefited and it's just been a good fit over the years. I've extended it for another season. I'm just delighted and I’ll keep working hard until that's up.

Is it a huge achievement and testament to you that you have watched wingers come and go at this club and you are still here?

Definitely. One thing I've done is never really read praise or negative stuff either. I've just concentrated on what my family and the coaches and players here are saying. I think that's maybe been part of the reason why I’ve managed to stay here. They’re always bringing in an attacking player at every window. It's been good to have competition all the time and keep fighting at different points. I've loved it up to now and just want to keep enjoying it.

Is the biggest thing for you that you are being picked because you've earned and not on sentiment?

Definitely. If you ask the gaffer, I think anyone will say throughout his career, since he's been a manager, even the first time here, he doesn't give players a game or a chance just for the sake of it. That’s good as well, it keeps you working hard. Even though you're older and there are younger players there as well, he's still backing you to help contribute as well. I think you need to just keep working hard and he says that as well.

Will you know when it is time to call it quits?

I've spoken to players who have retired they said they kind of knew when the time was right. I’m feeling good. Players have told me I’ll know when the time comes for me as well. I've been at Celtic my whole life and I wouldn't have wanted to be here if I thought I wasn't going to be able to help the team. I don't think it would get to that stage anyway. The manager and the coaches wouldn't keep picking you in squads if they didn't trust you. Hopefully, it doesn't get to that stage for a wee while now.

Are you getting even better now?

When you get older you can understand the game more. Obviously. there's the physical side to it as well. I think that's part and parcel now with the game. With the five subs and the more games you have, things get rotated more. It's more of a squad game. I'm not going to start every game, I'm not going to play every game. At this stage of my career, I can just keep working hard and keep helping the team when I get the chance. That's what I want to do.

You have been part of some great Celtic teams - where does this one rank as they seem to have built so much momentum?

It's unbelievable. I think it's a really humble squad as well. When you see the players, I don't think the manager has to get on at anyone. Obviously, Cal (Callum McGregor) leads the changing room, but everyone's on it. The professionalism on and off the park is top-notch. You see that with the performances every couple of days, all the boys are on it, which is a credit to them.

Is it good to be out on your own in top spot in the Scottish Premiership heading into another Champions League week?

Definitely. I think that was important from the manager and the coaches before the Hearts game though. They were always just focused on this game. Now we'll be focused on Wednesday, and we’re looking forward to it.

You have seen many wingers at this club how highly do you rate Nicolas Kuhn?

Fair play to him. Obviously, it was difficult when he came in in January. I know what it's like as a forward player at this club. You're expected to get goals and assists, you're expected to play well, every week. It's a real credit to him, the way he's come back since pre-season. He's been at it from pre-season every game. His numbers are unbelievable. All the boys are buzzing for him and you can see the confidence in him as well.

Do you feel that a first Germany cap is coming soon for him?

If you ask anybody in the changing room, they'd be delighted if that happens. I think everyone would be if he got that call-up. He'll probably say he just needs to keep doing what he's doing until March. He won’t be far away.

You have one more winners medal to earn and you will have equalled Bobby Lennox's haul, how does that make you feel?

The longer I've played here when you hear wee stats and stuff, it makes you feel really good. I think I'll probably sit down once I've retired and properly take it in. I appreciate when everyone says stuff like that, but I’ll stick with the boring answer. I just hope to be a part of it and win, and hopefully, that means the club is successful as well.

Where are all your medals?

I’ve got them all out on display in a wee room.

The one thing about you is that you have never changed and remained grounded how much has that helped you cope with life at Celtic?

Your family and that keep you modest. At Celtic, I don't think any player has really got carried away. If you get carried away one game, three days later the fans will bring you back down. The coaches and other players wouldn't have it either. But that's not just myself, I think there's loads of players in the changing room that have had success in that and they don't gloat about it, they just keep going. Once you retire, you can take it all in and really appreciate it.

How hard is it for you to hear words like 'Celtic's most decorated player' and 'club legend' being bandied about in reference to yourself?

It's obviously unbelievable to hear, but then you hear it and you're just focusing on the next game. That wee spell in January and February that I had, I wasn't sure what was happening, but I feel as though every day, every game, training that I've played, I've really appreciated it even more. Hopefully, there’s more success.