LIKE Callum McGregor five years before him, Marian Shved marked his competitive Celtic debut with a goal in Europe. And after the Hoops’ comfortable 2-0 win over Estonian outfit Nomme Kalju last night (Tuesday), the Ukrainian player said he’s keen to grow his goal tally from here.

An emphatic 5-0 home win last week ensured the Hoops overcame the Estonian champions 7-0 on aggregate in their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, and they now face CFR Cluj in Romania next week.

Manager Neil Lennon expects a tougher challenge in the rounds to come, but 20-year-old Shved targets more goals whoever he’s up against.

“I got my first goal for Celtic and I’m very happy,” said the Hoops debutant. “The team played a good game, we played very well. I was also happy to score, having missed my first chance at goal just after coming on.

“But the most important thing is that we played very well – against Kalju in Estonia and at Celtic Park last week. It’s a good day, a good game and we can be happy.”

Shved explained that as soon as the ball fell to him on the edge of the penalty area, he knew exactly what he wanted to do – and he was delighted when the net rippled after curling the ball high into the opposition goal.

He added: “As soon as I connected with the ball I knew I was going to score. It’s a very important goal for me, both in my Celtic career and my career as a whole. I was delighted when it hit the net, I think you could see that from celebration and I love the Celtic fans.

“The manager was pleased with us all after the game, and we were pleased with a good win, in Estonia and 7-0 on aggregate over both legs. Neil Lennon is a very good coach and he’s very good to me as well. No matter the opponent, I hope my first competitive goal for Celtic is the first of many more.”

Marian Shved: I hope debut goal is the first of many for Celtic