NO MESSING - Celtic's latest recruit, Holmbert Fridjonsson, read about one of the world's greatest-ever players raving about the fans at Parkhead.

And it was good enough for the Icelandic hitman to agree to join Neil Lennon's Bhoys.

The 20-year-old will have to wait until January 1 to begin his four-year contract with the Hoops.

But, with a pre-contract agreement in the bag, the man who is moving from Icelandic club, Fram, is content to go into cold storage for a few weeks.

Then Fridjonsson plans to make an instant impact, and live up to the prediction by Lennon that he is not one for the future, but one for the present.

Clearly not lacking confidence, the youngster - who could have opted to move to Holland from his homeland - explained how he has already been bitten by the Paradise bug.

He said: "I read online that Barcelona's Lionel Messi said Celtic Park was the best atmosphere he had ever seen, and I am excited.

"When Celtic came in, there was nothing to decide. I was buzzing and just really delighted."

Fridjonsson is aiming to give the supporters something to smile about, too, and continued: "I will try to score goals, and, hopefully I can do this for the Celtic fans.

"I can play up alone, hold up the ball and link players to the game. I have good technique, I'm good in air and have a good left foot."

Fridjonsson has steadily progressed from lower division football in Iceland, to the top league with Fram.

Now, he says the facilities at Lennoxtown will help him make a quantum leap in his development.

"This is the biggest step up, and I am really delighted," he said with a command of English which should help facilitate a quick settling-in period.

"It will be more physical here, so I need to get to the gym, then, hopefully, I can adapt pretty well."

Fridjonsson has spent a week training with his new team-mates, so he knows how tough it is going to be to make the breakthrough.

He plans to return to Scotland ahead if his contract starting, and aims to hit the ground running.

Fridjonsson said: "I'll get to know the boys better, train with them and see how it works. I can be ready to play, but I won't walk into the team, that's for sure.

"I will just need to work hard. I spoke to the manager on Tuesday and got good feedback from him, and I think he can help me a lot."