Cristian Gamboa has insisted that he is ready to make himself the first-choice right-back at Celtic.

The Costa Rican internationalist was man-of-the-match as the Parkhead side comfortably saw off Partick Thistle in the Betfred League Cup on Saturday afternoon.

Mikael Lustig has held the jersey for much of Gamboa's time at the club but the energy and running of the former West Brom player suggests that he has done enough to offer an alternative.

In any case, Gamboa - who has already eclipsed the playing time he got for the entirety of last season - is ready to make an impact.

"It’s been difficult but, like I always say, you need to be ready at this club," said Gamboa. "You can never complain. There’s always someone at your back putting pressure on you.

"I’ve just kept going and worked hard to try and help the club.

"Last season was difficult for me but this season I feel like I’m doing the right things. Hopefully I can build on this game.

"I respect every decision. I’m never going to say anything. It’s not my personality. My mother has always told me you always need to be loyal.

"I just need to keep going. If he decides (to play me) in the next game, I’m going to be ready.

"If not, I’m going to be waiting."

Celtic head to Lithuania to take on Suduva on Thursday night in the Europa League play-off, with Gamboa ready to pull on his boots.

"We need to play European football," he said. "For Scottish football and for Celtic, we need to be involved there.

"The Champions League is over now so we need to get the Europa for the fans and the people around the club.

"For us, it’s nice to play in Europe. We always get good games especially at Celtic Park.

"We need to do it.

"Of course we wanted Champions League but now it’s over.

"We know we cannot do anything about it. Now we have the Europa League so we need to get a good result there."

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