Newcastle United set to unveil new signing to 10,000 Geordies vs Celtic
Anthony Elanga is in line to make his Newcastle United debut against Celtic.
Anthony Elanga is set to make his Newcastle United debut in this afternoon’s friendly against Celtic (kick-off 3pm).
Elanga completed his £55million move from Nottingham Forest last Friday before linking up with his teammates for their training camp in Austria.
The Magpies have spent the last five days in the Alpine village of Seefeld in Tyrol but have now returned to the UK to take on the Scottish Premiership champions at Parkhead.
Anthony Elanga set to make Newcastle United debut
Elanga is guaranteed to get some minutes, whether that be from the start or as a substitute. Around 10,000 Geordies are making the journey to Glasgow eager to see their new signing in action,
Asked about the prospect of making his debut against Celtic, Elanga said: “I'm just looking forward to every game. Starting off with this game. Celtic is going to be amazing.
“Obviously, the gaffer will choose the team, so we'll have to see who's going to be playing. I've always said I want to make myself available. I know I've only been here for a week, but I feel like I've been here for years.
“For me, every session, I feel like I just want to continue to improve, taking the information and just make sure I'm available for when the gaffer calls up on me.”
Anthony Elanga x Alexander Isak
Newcastle supporters are also excited to witness Elanga link up with fellow countryman Alexander Isak. That will almost certainly happen at some point, but will it happen immediately at Parkhead?
“For me, it's the gaffer's decision at the end of the day,” Elanga replied. “There are loads of partnerships out there. You could see where it was for me and Bruno [Guimaraes], me, or Sandro [Tonali], me or AG [Anthony Gordon]. It could be so many different partnerships.
“But, like I say, I'll repeat it again, Alex, for me, is the best striker in the world and someone that, not just football-wise, but outside the pitch, he's an amazing person. Someone I can always rely on to go for advice or whatever.
“He's always going to be there and try and help me. He's like my big brother, in a sense. So I appreciate him a lot.”
Eddie Howe impressed by Anthony Elanga’s first week at Newcastle United
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe is delighted with how quickly Elanga has bedded into the group, believing his cause has been helped by existing relationships.
Elanga knows Isak and Emil Krafth from playing with Sweden, while he has known Will Osula since the age of 12 after the Dane had youth trials at Manchester United.
Howe said: “First impressions of him are really strong, Firstly, his personality has fitted really well into the group, I know he knows a lot of the players anyway so I think he feels at home with those connections that he has, whether that be through international duty or his history really.
“Training wise he’s trained really well, technically been excellent and he’s shown his pace and athleticism which is a real weapon for us to add to the other players who have those similar qualities. It’s been a very impressive start.”