CELTIC striker Stefan Scepovic admits he flopped in his first season at Parkhead because he's struggled to adapt to the long ball game and the physical side of Scottish football.

And he's had a blast at teams parking the bus against Celtic and the reluctance of refs to crack down on challenges against him.

The Serbian hitman signed a four-year deal with the Hoops on transfer deadline day last summer in a £2.7million move from Sporting Gijon.

But the 25-year-old endured a difficult first campaign, rarely started and netted just four league goals.

And Scepovic - linked with a quickfire return to Spain - has revealed he's held heart-to-heart talks with manager Ronny Deila in a bid to get his Hoops career back on track.

Scepovic said: "Wherever I have played I have always scored goals or helped with assists, but it has been hard adapting to Scottish football.

"There are many long balls and this has been a shock to me. I spoke with the manager Ronny Deila and he told me he knew that it would take me a season to adjust.

"Football in Scotland is very physical and there is another issue which is also a problem - Celtic are the biggest team and everyone wants to scrap or win one point against us.

"We always have to score early because otherwise our rivals will just close the door on us.

"The referees have difficulty in removing their cards from their pockets. For it to be a yellow card, it has to be a strong tackle and the red card rarely comes out.

"All players want to play, obviously, but when you come to a club the size of Celtic, then you have to get to know the team, its country and its people.

"I was frustrated because I wasn't playing, but after my conversation with the coach I understand it won't just happen for me overnight.

"It's a matter of adapting and having continuity. I take comfort from the fact I scored two goals in four games in the Europa League."

But despite the disappointments of his first season, Scepovic insists he wants to stay and make a big impact in Glasgow.

He said: "You never know in football, but the Celtic coach and people at the club have told me they have faith in me.

"They knew last season wasn't going to be easy. I'm a Celtic player and I am only thinking about doing things right here.

"In the future, you don't know what will happen, but right now I am focussed on playing for Celtic.

"Last season, I arrived after Maribor beat us - the goal this year is to be in the Champions League Group Stages. We are a very big team and should be there."

And Scepovic admits he loved his first encounter with the Old Firm derby last term.

He said: "Rangers did not get through the play-offs. The people here are very fanatical about the Glasgow derby and it is known throughout the world.

"In our league, we lack a team like Rangers to have rivalry with us.

"But we did play them last year in the Cup in the National Stadium and the atmosphere was amazing."