Maurice Edu grew up in awe of Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane and now he is desperate to make a lasting impression in Scotland, starting tomorrow. The California-born midfielder finally arrived at the club this week after completing his move from MLS side Toronto and he is set to take his place on the bench at Celtic Park.

Should he enter the fray at some stage, Rangers fans can expect to see a player who is not only tenacious in the tackle but one who is also prepared to push on in support of his more forward-thinking team-mates.

Having initially agreed terms with the club two weeks ago, Edu admitted that it was a relief to have sorted out the formalities of his move: "It's good to finally be here having been sitting around waiting for the work permit," he said. "I feel fine and am definitely looking forward to the game and I'm hopeful of getting on at some point. It will definitely be the biggest game I've played in."

Edu, who can operate in defence and midfield, admits that he couldn't have scripted a better start to his career away from the US. "I think it's everyone's dream to play in Europe," he said. "You see games in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup on TV and you want to play at the highest level. The MLS is a good starting point. Some people aspire just to play professionally and the MLS can be enough but others want to come over here and test themselves against the best, like myself.

"I don't think I could have drawn it up better; my first European club is Rangers and my first potential game is against Celtic. Hopefully we'll go on and win the game."

Turning his attention to the match itself, Edu feels he will be more than suited to the rigours of the Old Firm. "I'm up for the challenge," he added. "It will be a gritty game, there will be tackles in there but I think there will also be a bit of football played too. That suits my game, I'm not afraid of putting in a tackle but I'm happy going forward too."

It is these qualities which he first gleaned from Messrs Keane and Vieira and there are few better players he could have chosen to mould his game on. Given an early opportunity to endear himself to the Rangers support, the American was quick to point out that he admired Keane predominately during his days in England rather than when he appeared in the green and white of Celtic. "Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane were the players I looked up to," he admitted.

"Vieira could put in a tackle but he could also be creative. As for Roy Keane, I liked him more when he was at Manchester United and I liked how he was a hardman who didn't take anything from anyone. Although there were flashier players around him, he set the pace and tone for the team."

At 22, Edu is still relatively young but he does not seem fazed by his new life in Glasgow, which will undoubtedly be in sharp contrast to his spell in Toronto.

"There's always going to be talk, whether you have a good game and everyone loves you or a bad game and everyone hates you," he said. "There are always critics and being a footballer you're in the spotlight more often but I just focus on playing and don't worry about things like that."

Edu joins his compatriots DaMarcus Beasley and Claudio Reyna in crossing the Atlantic to pull on the Rangers jersey and he is more than aware of how big a chance he has been handed. "This is what I've wanted my whole life; to play in Europe and I think I have a great opportunity in front of me and it's up to me to take advantage and seize it."