Diego Laxalt admits insider Celtic discussions over Zlatan Ibrahimovic master plan as new boy awaits ‘weird’ Europa League tie

Diego Laxalt reckons he could talk all night about Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the chances are the shameless big Swede could do the same.

The on loan wing back knows the key for Celtic this evening is keeping AC Milan ’s towering superstar quiet if the want to get Europa League points on the board and tone down the angry chat in the wake of the Old Firm defeat.

Laxalt might be on the books of the San Siro side but he’s a Hoops player right now and he’s thrilled he got the green light to face his parent club tonight.

The Uruguay ace can tip off his Parkhead teammates on what to expect but they won’t need any introductions to Milan’s main man up front.

Ibrahimovic is one of the most colour characters in the game but he can walk the walk as well as talk the talk.

Laxalt loved lining up alongside the super Swede but he’s hoping the only Zlatan chat tomorrow will be how he was shut out.

The wide man said: “I could talk all night about Zlatan!

(Image: Getty Images)

“He is exactly the way you see him in real life! He’s got a fantastic personality but he’s a class player as well. You can see that in the long career he’s had.

“How do we stop him? These are the sort of things you keep inside the dressing room.

“But you would treat him like any other players because we have to defend well.

“But it’s something I will discuss with my teammates.”

Laxalt found himself in some uncomfortable position in the Old Firm defeat on Saturday and he could be in another tonight as goes up against his employers.

The former Genoa man doesn’t see it that way. He vowed to do the business for Celtic and worry about the strange situation once the dust settles.

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Laxalt is willing to be the spy behind enemy lines for boss Neil Lennon but he said: “Milan have got a great squad who work well together – but the manager doesn’t need me to tell him that. There is a really good staff here at Celtic with the manager and the coaches, and they know what they are doing.

“They will have us ready for the game.

“Will be awkward? I try not to think about it and I have just prepared for it like it’s any other game. It’s not something I will be thinking about during the game anyway. It might seem a bit weird afterwards having played against my old team but I am at Celtic and will be treating them like a normal game.

“I’ll give my absolute best on the pitch.

“Every team has its weaknesses. They’re having a great season but every game is different and we’ll be looking to get the win.”

Laxalt is still learning the lingo as well as finding his feet so might not have quite grasped the nuclear fallout that comes on the back of losing to Rangers.

(Image: PA)

The South American wasn’t the worst man on the park at the weekend but it was a difficult debut on top of having to relocate to a new country in the middle of a global pandemic.

Laxalt is determined to take all the chaos in his stride though.

He said: “I’m aware of everything that happened at the weekend but I am a big player and a big character myself and I’m sure I will push on from that.

“It’s something that is affecting everybody around the world but all I can do is come here and follow all the rules.

“I’m really happy that my family are here because having them here counts for a lot and will help me settle in.

“I’m really excited about the new experience at a new club.

“The fact I don’t know the language won’t really make a difference because I played in the game and I know what was happening. But learning English is one of my priorities.”

Laxalt reckons taking on the might of Milan might be the perfect way to get the Old Firm blues out of Celtic’s system and he insisted he’ll raise his game as well after getting a welcome 90 minutes under his belt on Saturday.

He’s determined to do his talking on the pitch and said: “I was happy with my performance but not with the result. I’m really enthusiastic to help the team and I’m really positive and looking forward to facing AC Milan.

“There are a lot of games to come and I can’t wait to give my all to help the clubs in the games coming up.

“I am feeling good. It was my first game and I was happy to get the minutes in.

“Physically I feel better and I’m looking forward to the game against Milan. Obviously there was huge disappointment after the game, but this is a new opportunity for us.

“Everyone is focused. After Saturday this is a great opportunity for us to put in a good performance.

“We’ve got to have faith in our play and be aggressive. We’ve got to stick together because this is a winning squad.”