A REMINDER of what life is like on the dark side is still within arm's reach for John Guidetti.

Sitting in a bare changing room within Celtic's Lennoxtown training centre, the Manchester City loanee explained to the assembled press pack the meaning about the sleeve of tattoos up his right-hand side.

It's a permanent reminder he carries with him every day of the trials and tribulations that once threatened his future in football at the top level.

"Everything is to do with history of injuries," Guidetti revealed, flashing up a series of ink marks covering his upper arm.

"The lyrics here are from a song I listened to in my dark times, I don't think you'll know the song, but it says, 'We all cry but when the tears dry we get stronger'.

"This one here is a guardian angel to protect me from any further injuries. Something like this one here is for my family.

"It's easy to get addicted. My mum's not very pleased!"

While Mrs Guidetti is less than impressed with her son's inkings, she will be delighted that his career, which once had him dubbaed as Sweden's new Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is showing signs of recovery.

The forward's brightest spell in his career was back in 2011/12 during a loan period at Feyenoord in which he scored 20 goals in 23 games, along with eight assists.

However, a virus cut short his playing time in Holland and virtually wiped out the following two seasons, leaving him isolated from the game he loves and the only way of life he knows.

A short stint at Stoke last season failed to be the starting point on his journey back to the top of his game Guidetti hoped for, with the opportunity to get much-needed game time hard to come by.

Yet, despite a run of bad luck which would have forced most to question their future in the game, things are at last on the up for the promising talent from Stockholm.

"It was a difficult time. It was a leg injury, I don't know the exact medical terms but it kept me out for a long time," explained Guidetti.

"It stopped me going to the European Championships, I had a great season in Holland, my career was looking bright to say the least. Then this injury came.

"But that's what tests us. If you give up then I don't think you deserve to be a footballer because for me it's the greatest thing in the world.

"It's the best profession you can have. If I had just given up there I wouldn't deserve to be where I am. It's a tester for you in life. I'm not going to give up now."

He added: "Yeah it was the darkest time ever, but I got a great help from City's medical team and the close people around me. They always believed in me to come back.

"Just the fact I can train with some of the best players in the world and do well. I'm just looking forward to playing the game that I love and missed so much."

As Guidetti spoke at Lennoxtown, clutching the famous green-and-white jersey in his hand, he admits he had his doubts that this day would ever come.

With his loan move from the Etihad to Parkhead not going through in time on transfer deadline day, the 22-year-old was seen slinking off into the Glasgow night with the golden chance of rebuilding his career at Celtic seemingly lying in tatters.

Thankfully for him and the SPFL Premiership champions however, Fifa's special dispensation means the Swede can now, at last, focus on what he knows he's best at - scoring goals.

"Of course I was worried it might not happen," Guidetti said.

"I remember as I left here I was almost 100% sure it wasn't going to happen.

"But then it happened - and I'm buzzing.

"Obviously, the Europa League group stages are not going to be possible for me [as he was not registered as part of the club's squad for the competition]. But when you think you are not going to come to Celtic at all then it is a big disappointment. However, now I'm really happy - I'm just buzzing."

Undoubtedly Guidetti's spell in Rotterdam is the highlight so far of his short career.

However, Celtic fans keen to get a glimpse of what is to come don't need to trawl through hours of YouTube videos of his time in the Dutch league to get excited.

The Swede has recently played four games and scored four goals for his country's Under-21s, including a wonder free-kick against Greece last week from 30 yards.

It's a sign of what a player the Parkhead club could have on their hands if he stays fit.

Yet this impressive and humble young man - who runs his own charity foundation - accepts he will still need to prove his worth, despite his ability.

"Of course, EVERY time I score like that," he joked. "No, being serious, this was a good strike and it's up there as one of my best goals.

"It was also an important goal.

"What can Celtic fans expect? I'm going to give 110% every game, I'm going to work hard, I hate losing.

"I'm just a small part of a puzzle and if I can contribute my small part then I'm happy.

"I'm a young boy coming to a massive team with fantastic players and first of all I have to fight for my place, just to get into the team.

"Then you have to perform every time, work hard, just to stay in the team. That is football."