New Celtic signing Nat Phillips has joked that Scotland captain and fellow Liverpool team-mate Andy Robertson was "jealous" when he heard the the defender was moving north of the border.

The 26-year-old has joined the Parkhead club on loan until January to give Brendan Rodgers' side some much-needed cover in the centre-back position after recent injuries to Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh.

And Phillips detailed how both Robertson and Virgil van Dijk reacted to the move.

"Andy was probably just as excited as I am. And I think, potentially, he was a little bit jealous because he loves it here," he told Celtic TV.

"And it was the same with Virgil van Dijk. He had a great time here, so I've heard nothing but good things."

The defender played a key role in the 2020/21 season when Liverpool had a defensive injury crisis of their own and he is hoping to play a similar role at Parkhead.

In particular, he opened up about his excitement at getting another opportunity to play in the Champions League.

He continued: "I'm really excited. When I heard about the interest it was one that got me excited. There were a few other options that didn't quite make me feel the same as this one did.

"So I was really keen to get it over the line and I'm delighted to be here now. We've had a few conversations since I've been here and they've gone really well.

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"They've just reassured the decision around this whole thing, and I'm really excited to get working with the manager.

"It's the history of the club. It's such a huge club, the club's aspirations, the level it competes at.

"The fact that they're in the Champions League this year and the mentality of the club? They want to be winners in everything they do.

"I'm really excited. Obviously I've seen Celtic compete in the competition over the years. But hearing the stories of the Champions League nights here.

"I'm now really excited to see how they look."