NEW Athletic signing Ewan Otoo has said that the opportunity to join the club was one he couldn’t turn down.

Last Friday, the versatile 20-year-old completed a loan move from Celtic until the end of the season and, in a whirlwind 24 hours, made his debut in the astonishing comeback win at Airdrieonians, who then played out a 1-1 draw with Dunfermline at East End yesterday (Saturday).

Pars boss, James McPake, revealed that he had been chasing Scotland under-17 cap Otoo, who can play in the centre and left side of defence, and in midfield, for the past month.

With SPFL clubs outwith the top flight able to make domestic loan signings throughout February, Otoo’s arrival comes after Dunfermline didn’t add to their squad before the January transfer deadline, and lost on-loan defender, Sam Fisher, who was recalled by parent club Dundee.

Otoo, who came on as a first half substitute as his new team roared back from three goals down to emerge victorious at the Excelsior Stadium, played against the Pars when he captained Celtic ‘B’ in an SPFL Trust Trophy tie in November at KDM Group East End Park.

Speaking to Press Sport after what he described as “an unbelievable debut”, which came after just one training session with his new team-mates, he explained: “It was a bit of a whirlwind.

“I got in my first day on Friday, got a good training session, and it was in the making over the last couple of weeks, so it was good to finally get it done.

“It’s a big club, top of the league, and the opportunity to go and win the league as well – I couldn’t turn that down. I was delighted to be able to play a part in that.

“We (Celtic) played against them (Pars) in the Trust Trophy and I thought it was one of the hardest games we’ve played this season.

“I think they were a top side. Obviously they won the game on the night and, after that, I knew it was a very good level, with very good quality players.

“I didn’t have any doubt about it when I had that interest.

“I think it’s the right time for me to further my development and a play a bit of a higher standard of football. Hopefully, I can come in, play as much as I possibly can here, and develop as much as I possibly can.”

Glasgow-born Otoo, who also qualifies to represent Ghana at international level, began his journey at Celtic at the age of eight, signing his first professional contract with the Hoops in June 2019.

He has gone on to progress through their ranks to the ‘B’ side, who are currently fifth in the Lowland League, playing 23 times for them in all competitions this season.

During the 2020/21 campaign, he spent time on loan at Clyde in League One, making 15 appearances, and Otoo said that the opportunity to play in front of sizeable crowds, and attempt to pick up a title winners’ medal, were other factors in his decision to make the move.

The travelling fans roared their approval at more than one wholehearted tackle Otoo made against the Diamonds, and he continued: “I love getting the crowd going; that gets me going as well and brings the best out of my football.

“You don’t really get that when you play a lot of academy football, and that’s also a big factor about why I wanted to come here and play games as well.

“I’ve heard a lot about them (the fans), but today I heard them!

“Every footballer wants to win trophies. To have the opportunity to do that towards the end of this season, I can’t wait.

“It was an unbelievable debut. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

Although he didn’t expect to be pitched into the action so soon, Otoo said he felt ready to make his mark, with his versatility catching the eye alongside the standard of his performance.

He added: “I’m more than comfortable to play in midfield, left back, left centre back.

“Wherever the gaffer wants me to play, I’m more than happy, more than comfortable to play in there.

“I feel like I’m strong in each of those positions so, hopefully, I can show that towards the end of the season, over the course of the games we’ve got, that I can play in a number of positions.

“I was always looking ready for it, and looking forward to it, and hopefully that showed in the way I played.

“You’ve got to be prepared to come in in any situation, be prepared to react to any situation, and that goes for the whole team.”