China captain Zheng eager for Celtic Euro success

China captain Zheng Zhi wants to play his part in helping Celtic qualify for next season’s Champions League after missing out on European football this term.

The 29-year-old midfielder played no part in the Glasgow giants’ Europa League campaign after he signed for Celtic following European football governing body UEFA’s registration deadline.

Celtic have failed to qualify from Group C although they do have one more match, away to Rapid Vienna, next week.

But Zheng remains ineligible for the trip to Austria.

“It was frustrating for me. I was signed too late and that meant I wasn’t able to play in the Europa League,” Zheng told club magazine Celtic View.

“I was hoping we would qualify for the next round and I would be able to play, but we didn’t manage that.

“That was a disappointment but we will just have to try to win the league and make sure we are in the Champions League next season. I would love to play in Europe with Celtic.

“The target for all the players is to win the league and do well in the Scottish Cup. We are disappointed to be out of Europe but we still have a big chance to make the season successful.”

Zheng, who played in England for south London side Charlton, has been at Parkhead for just over three months and appears to have settled in well.

“I’m really enjoying my time at Celtic,” he said. “It’s such a big club and the stadium and training ground are really good.

“Celtic have many fans – not just in Scotland but all over the world.

“The manager, players and all the staff have been very welcoming.”

Zheng has been in and out of Celtic manager Tony Mowbray’s side lately but the team itself, after a tricky period in October and November, appears to be finding some consistent form and Saturday’s league match away to Motherwell offers the chance of a fourth straight win.

“Playing for Celtic is not like any other club,” Zheng said. “There is a lot of pressure and you are expected to win every game.

“It’s not always happened since I’ve been here. We are trying to get a run together just now and I’m confident that we’re improving all the time.

“I think we are gaining a better understanding of each other.

“The players have helped me settle in and we are getting better at knowing what our own strengths are.

“I know what they can do and they know what I can do.”