Football: LEAGUE OF NATIONS; NEW BHOY CZECHS IN: Midfield star Jiri signs on at Celtic Jarosik has won titles in Czech Republic, Russia and England.. now he's out to add Scotland to honours list.

Byline: John DOCHERTY 

JIRI JAROSIK has played in league-winning sides in the Czech Republic, Russia and England.

Last night he set his sights on adding Scotland to the countries where he has plundered silverware.

The 28-year-old Czech midfielder was at Parkhead yesterday after competing his pounds 2million move from Chelsea, where he failed to make the grade under Jose Mourinho.

But despite the frustration of Stamford Bridge, Jarosik - who was farmed out on loan to Birmingham last season - was all smiles as he talked about the challenge ahead.

He's aiming to make his mark in the SPL, where Celtic are resident champions, and in the Champions League as well.

Jarosik, who has agreed a three-year contract with the option of an additional fourth year, insisted Celtic have always had a place in his heart.

He revealed: "As a kid I loved football and supported many teams - one of them was Celtic. Green and white are the colours I know from my childhood.

"I really appreciate the interest from the club, the manager Gordon Strachan and the chief executive Peter Lawwell because they did not hesitate to come over to Prague to meet with me.

"I want to play at the top level and I am the winning type.

"I want to win the championship. I won it with Sparta Prague, in Russia with CSKA and with Chelsea in England.

"Now I want to do it with Celtic."

While never really given his chance by Chelsea, Jarosik described it as all part of football's learning curve. The 6ft 4in star said: "In life you learn every day and there are things I can be taught by the manager.

"Chelsea are a big club and I came there when many other players were injured. I was given the chance to play but when they recovered there were so many opportunities for the manager.

"In the past I used to play almost all the matches during the season and I didn't like to just play one match and then be out of the team."

Jarosik thanked Mourinho for playing his part in bringing him to UK shores from CSKA Moscow in January of last year.

"He told me that I helped him a lot at the time he came to Chelsea. He said I always was one of his favourite players and wished me luck.

"I would also like to point out that he was the one who gave me the chance to play in Great Britain."

Now all of Jarosik's energy is focussed on Celtic.

He said: "Celtic have such a big history, they are a massive club and have the best fans in the world.

"I would like to play in the Champions League every year. "This is the second time I have been in Glasgow. I was here when I played for CSKA Moscow against Rangers. It was fanastic but the most important thing for me was that we beat Rangers."

With Roy Keane now retired from playing football and with Stilian Petrov wanting away while skipper Neil Lennon has still to sign a new deal, much will be expected of Jarosik.

But he's clearly up for the challenge, saying: "I am not a teenager so my shoulders can handle it. I will try to do my best for the team."

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan believes he has landed a top quality player whose presence will cause opposing teams a bucketful of problems.

Strachan said: "He's got a bit of everything. He knows the game, he has been with big sides, scores goals and gives us a physical presence as well as a personality presence. He can play with good players.

"You don't sign for Chelsea unless the manager thinks you are a good player. He has loads of what we are looking for and he is adaptable.

"He can play in many positions. Our number one priority is to win the league and that is why he's here.

"He has this physical presence which we are going to need next season.

"We need more goals in the team as well and he scored eight for Birmingham last season when they were relegated which is not too bad.

"He is always a threat and his height is going to help us, there is no doubt about that. I felt our team was getting a bit smaller.

"If you look at the teams in the World Cup and in the Premiership they are tall so we need a bit of height back in the team."

Strachan, back in Scotland for the first day of training following his TV pundit stint at the World Cup, is looking to further strengthen.

Feyenoord's highly-rated teenage defender Evander Sno underwent a medical yesterday and will be looking to push for a first team place next season.

Celtic are also after Sparta Prague defender Michal Kadlec but have yet to agree a price.

CAPTION(S):

HOW'S THAT FOR SIZE? Jiri Jarosik trys on his new Celtic shirt' THAT'S MY BHOY: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan shows off his latest signing, Czech Jiri Jarosik' MARKSMAN: Jiri nets for Birmingham