Oliver Burke has stressed that he felt that he was “dying” during his time at West Brom.
The Celtic loan-star is only at Parkhead until the end of the season. The move has been sanctioned by his parent club to get him some game-time and up to speed for the next campaign. West Brom have confirmed they want Burke back regardless of how the season goes.
The deal is one that can work for both parties. Celtic can use Burke’s quality to help push them to a treble-treble, whilst the club can apparently satisfy Burke’s cravings.
That’s how the player would put it anyway. Speaking to the Scotsman, he stressed that he felt like he was starving and dying during the first half of the season.
“I feel like I have been dying, starving from not playing games. Hopefully now I can come here, enjoy myself and play games. That’s really important to develop me as a player.
“It’s upsetting (to not be playing), but I know I still have a lot of time on my hands. I’m still a young player so if I keep my head down and keep progressing and working hard hopefully I can reach that potential.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
“I’m happy to be at Celtic and hopefully I can enjoy my football here.”
Stepping out of that £13million shadow
Burke finds himself with what can only be described as a golden and fortunate opportunity.
He instantly finds himself at one of football’s greatest clubs, and on the hunt for trophies. Everything that happened during the first half of the season can be forgotten about as he presses ahead with his treble-treble bid.
The Baggies want their man back at the end of the season, however. They’re clearly hoping he goes back to England a more rounded and confident player than the one that arrived. Burke, of course, only made a total of five starts for Leipzig. Since signing for West Brom 18 months ago, he’s only made four more.
It’s clear he needs an arm around the shoulder and someone to put some faith in him. Celtic have done that, and Brendan Rodgers clearly sees him as untapped potential that he can get some big use out of.
Burke made a rollercoaster impression on the Parkhead faithful in his debut against Airdrie. What he did prove, however, was that he certainly has something in his locker.