New Celtic signing Kolo Toure expects Brendan Rodgers to take the Hoops to the next level and is excited to be reuniting with his former manager.
The former Liverpool centre-back, 35, signed a one-year deal at Parkhead on Sunday but is not in the travelling party for a trip to Kazakhstan ahead of Wednesday's third-round qualifier against Astana.
"I left a great club and I am joining a great club," Toure said at his introductory press conference. "I am looking forward to it.
"Celtic have a great history and for me, it is a privilege again to be able to play for one of the best clubs in the world.
"When I heard Celtic wanted me I was really, really happy and joining Brendan Rodgers was something really, really special as well.
"We have been together at Liverpool and had a great time there. Now to work with him again is great. Brendan is a top manager, one of the best. He did a great job at Swansea and Liverpool and I'm sure he will do a great job here."
Assistant manager Chris Davies hopes Toure will prove to be an "inspirational figure" for the younger players at the club.
"I am really pleased," said Davies, part of Rodgers' backroom staff at Anfield. "Obviously we worked with Kolo at Liverpool, he brings two things: he's a top defender who is good with the ball and he also brings a real authority and experience.
"He is an inspirational figure so we are not only getting a really good player but someone who can inspire players around them to help the team and younger players.
"He has been working with a personal trainer so it is an important week physically for him and we will see how it goes."