TYLER Blackett today predicted the experience of playing alongside legendary Manchester United centre backs Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand will help ensure he excels for Celtic.

England Under-21 internationalist Blackett has completed a season-long loan move to the Parkhead club from their Old Trafford counterparts.

The defender featured 12 times for Louis van Gaal’s side in the 2014/15 campaign after making his debut in an English Premier League game against Swansea.

However, he is keen to develop as a player by being involved more regularly in competitive matches and is delighted to have joined Ronny Deila’s squad.

The Manchester-born player has been with the Reds since he was a boy of eight and has rubbed shoulders with some football superstars during that time.

Blackett reckons that will help him to cope with representing the Scottish champions both domestically and in Europe in the months ahead.

“At a young age, I played with both Ferdinand and Vidic in a few games,” he said. “I was happy to have the privilege of playing with such great players. It was a phenomenal experience, one that can only help you in your future development.

“Things like that show you just where you have got to get to. You see what these players do on a daily basis. You can only improve alongside them.

“My whole time at United has been enjoyable. There’s a lot of hard work that everyone has to do but you enjoy it at the same time.

“You take it as it comes. Each day, you come in and want to learn and improve. I’m sure all the players are the same.”

“Playing here can help me in many different aspects. The style in Scotland is a little different as are the teams. It will be a learning curve for me.”

Blackett only broke into the first team at United last season – but he revealed that former manager Sir Alex Ferguson had helped him to make the breakthrough.

“I only dealt with him when I was coming in and around the first team,” he said. “Sir Alex was in his last few years then.

“He was a very good man manager. He spoke to everyone in a different way in terms of their personality. He was really good with me.

“Obviously each manager has their own tough side which you don’t want to cross that much. But I found him a nice guy.

“How would he feel about me being here? Like everyone else, I’m sure he’d be happy as it will improve me and develop my game.”

Blackett has predicted his season-long loan move to Celtic could enable him to force his way into the full England squad ahead of the Euro 2016 finals in France next summer.

The Manchester United defender felt that not featuring regularly in the first team at Old Trafford limited the number of appearances he made for his national under-21 side.

However, the 21-year-old, who can play at either centre half or left back, is hoping that featuring regularly for the Scottish champions both domestically and in Europe will increase his chances of international football.

“I think I can take the next step with Celtic,” he said. “Over the years I’ve missed out on under-21 squads because I’ve not been playing as many games as the rest of the boys. It’s meant I’ve not quite been up there with the rest of the boys.

“But hopefully now, if I get a run of games and play some good stuff then I’ll get a call-up. It’s achievable for any player if they put their mind to it.

“I’m desperate to improve and I need to play games. I knew that’s obviously going to be difficult at United because of all the good players they have. I just want to come here and do well."

Blackett has two years remaining on his current contract at United and has refused to rule out move to Celtic permanently if his loan spell in Glasgow goes well.

"No one knows the future so what happens, happens,” he said. “For now, my focus is on Celtic and trying to do well here. If I can get a good run of games and improve as a player, we’ll see what comes after.

“You have to assess the situation at the time and whatever’s best for me and my family, and everyone surrounding it, we’ll make that decision when it comes to it.

“But winning medals is definitely an appealing prospect. To win any medal at a young age is what every player dreams of really. No matter what club you are at, you want to win trophies and be a winner. You want to improve and be involved in these situations.”

Blackett made 12 appearances for the Manchester United first team last season under Louis van Gaal and lined up alongside Robin van Persie in the majority of those outings.

He is hopeful his familiarity with the Netherlands striker can help Celtic in the Europa League matches against Fenerbahce if his former team mate is involved with the Turkish club he joined in the summer.

“The Europa League was most definitely a factor in me joining Celtic,” he said. “It’s a chance to play in Europe and that’s a huge plus as we have some good games to look forward to.

“I saw the draw and was delighted with the teams we’ve been grouped with. Hopefully they will be good games.

“I know Robin well from our time together at United. Robin was a great for me. He spoke to me a lot of times. But he’s like that with a lot of young players. He’s a nice guy to talk to and it would also be good to play against him.

“Fenerbahce is a game I’m really looking forward to, along with the other Euro ties. It would be great to play against Robin. I know about him as a player - but I’m sure he’d say the same about me. He’ll also know my strengths and weaknesses! We’ll see what happens on the night.”