“Celtic is maybe bigger than I thought,” Barca Bhoy Alex Valle

Certainly a bit of a left-back theme this morning after featuring Kieran Tierney’s meeting with Brendan Rodgers in London last night, then the comments from Brazilian side International’s President on wanting to sign Alexandro Bernabei on a permanent deal in January, we now turn our attention to Alex Valle.

Alex Valle in action against Falkirk
Alex Valle’s cross is blocked by Coll Donaldson. Celtic v Falkirk, Premier Sports Cup, Quarter Final, Celtic Park, 22 September 2024 Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

The 20 year-old is on a season long loan at Celtic from Barcelona and seems to have settled in well and beginning to make his mark in the team. He played a significant part in Adam Idah’s goal of the season contender against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, looked assured against Dortmund in the second half after replacing the injured Greg Taylor and impressed at Ross County last weekend.

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Valle has been talking about his early thoughts on life at Celtic and not surprisingly the Scottish weather merits a mention as you Alex fears it’s going to get much worse. And he’s been surprised at the actual size of Celtic as a football club.

Alex Valle in action against Dortmund
01.10.2024, UEFA Champions League, Borussia Dortmund – Celtic Glasgow. Alex Valle Celtic FC with Julien Duranville Borussia Dortmund

“If I had to pick one thing that has surprised me I would choose that Celtic is maybe bigger than I thought, Valle said, as reported by Football Scotland. “I thought it wasn’t quite that big, and I didn’t expect such an atmosphere like the one we experienced at Paradise. The level of the game here in training and in each game as well is awesome. So, yeah, I’m really happy.

“I like living in Scotland. The weather is getting worse every day. But I have to wait until November or December. They have told me all about that! But Glasgow is a really good city and I’m enjoying it.

Celtic's Alex Valle thanks the fans after defeat in Dortmund
10 2024, Borussia Dortmund vs Celtic Glasgow, UEFA Champions League, Matchday 2 Celtic’s Alex Valle thanks the fans Photo: David Inderlied

“I have close friends from Barcelona, who I talk with every week. They have been asking me about Celtic. Then there is my family as well. They have been coming to Scotland and enjoying it too. So, yeah, I’m happy in a personal way too,” Alex said.

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Celtic are back in action a week today when Aberdeen are the visitors at Celtic Park and with Greg Taylor currently sidelined it looks like Valle will be starting in the biggest game of the season so far in the Scottish Premiership. Both sides are on 21 points after seven wins from seven and something is going to give. Celtic Park will be at capacity with Aberdeen also selling out their tickets and it’s a great opportunity for Valle to establish himself in Brendan Rodgers’ back four.

Greg Taylor in action against Hearts
Celtic v Hearts. Scottish Premiership 14/09/2024. Greg Taylor of Celtic on 14 September 2024. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie/PSI

“I don’t know Greg’s situation right now. I just try to work for myself, and if I have the opportunity to play, I will give my best every game,” Valle said. “I don’t mind if it’s Aberdeen or if it’s another team. For me, every weekend I try my best and that’s it. It’s a healthy competition between us. Greg has helped me a lot since I came here. Obviously, for the position, he can advise me really well. He’s already a very good friend.”

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

1 Comment

  1. Trying to get a good never mind a very good who Celtic supporters expect we play in spl our defenders are top quality fir spl you go to champions league then one mistake miss pass miss challenge the way brendan wants his team to play from back puts our defenders under pressure and some uncomfortable you need to play in front of 60,000 fans expecting every pass to go to feet every challenged won and if not you hear it our press put our club big but our league is poor ross county sat bayern Munich or Barcelona Tues day night we have to get real it’s not on and saying that dortmand result is not on we are not that bad we were that night the first half a nightmare I watch dortmond against German team not a top one it was so different that first half everything went right for them deflected goals outrages shots going in two penalties no missed passes Celtic players collapsed Brendon will learn more about his players in that half im sure they will get over it as you seen against ross county no showboating sleeves rolled up no team has the right to win without that I’m sure dortmand game was a perfect storm yes as a supporter I was shocked but looking at game again a few days later that hurt but we gave dortmand three goals one was an outrages deflection who German media try to make it wonder goal Germans are so like English and Dutch so full of them self we see it on med holidays I try and avoid them can ruin a holiday even on plane there we are poor to but alcohol dose that to us sory about the arrogance dirtmand are a good team but not great they will never have perfect 45 minutes