CRISTIAN GAMBOA believes he is now in prime condition to cement his place in boss Brendan Rodgers’ plans for the rest of the season.

The Costa Rica international suffered a baptism of fire when he was thrust into his first game for Celtic at Camp Nou and was on the receiving end of a 7-0 thrashing by classy Catalans Barcelona.

But his performance in the 1-1 Champions League draw against Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany last time out provided the former West Brom man plenty of encouragement.

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And 27-year-old Gamboa reckons he is adapting to the way Rodgers wants his free-scoring Celts to play now that he has got his fitness levels up.

The pacy right-back said: “When I came here I hadn’t played many minutes so I have tried to build myself.

“I feel good and happy for my team-mates and it was a good result for us [in Germany]. It could be better but everything is positive.

“That was my seventh game for the club and I feel good. You could see I was a bit better with my fitness in Germany as I adapt to the way we play. I have been here two months and I am trying to take these ideas on board.

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“I know how we play now and the gaffer has helped build my performance and how we play at Celtic, and I showed a bit of that against Borussia.

“I showed that I could play on a good stage and in a good game and these are the matches you want to be involved in. 

“The gaffer gave me a chance so I tried to prove myself and everything went well, and I hope to progress in a good way.

“I feel good here with my team-mates and everyone has tried to help me feel settled here along with my family. It’s good to be at Celtic.”

Gamboa has certainly had plenty to distract him off the training ground having just become a father for the second time, while his young family settle in to life in Glasgow.

But he admits he is lucky to have wife Melissa doing most of the night shifts while he rests up.

Read more: Paul Lambert: Celtic need wee bit of luck to lift a Treble

He told the Celtic View: “It’s been really busy but it’s good. My family are well and my baby is half Scottish and half Costa Rican and is already a Celtic supporter!

“Everything is good here and it feels like home. For me, I just need to try and develop and perform. 

“My wife has helped me a lot and she has taken care of the two guys. She always tells me to try and sleep and recover as she knows when I am playing. 

“She helps me to perform on the pitch – she is the man in the house, she helps me with everything!”