Celtic's Scandinavian bromance forming as new fan chant leaves Kasper Hogh bemused - 'I'm not the best at Scottish'

A sensational 35-minute hat-trick in the 5-1 rout of Kilmarnock saw the £11m arrival from Bodo/Glimt announce himself to Scottish football in eye-catching fashion on the new Rugby Park grass pitch.

He had passed up several opportunities against Dundee, but needed just 63 seconds to open his account for the champions against Killie before adding another two to wrap up his hat-trick in the first-half.

Adept to playing on astroturf surfaces during his time in Norway, a beaming Hogh joked afterwards that he needed to adapt to playing on grass. “I heard it was artificial before, so maybe that helped!” he said.

“First of all, all glory to God. I'm a happy, happy boy, as you see. Of course it was nice to get it early, that helps. But it's also new for me to be one of the guys. But that was nice to get an early goal.”

On this evidence, Hogh’s trademark ‘peacock’ celebration could become a regular sight this season. He is already taking steps in the right direction to develop into a fans’ favourite, with the green-and-white faithful making up a quirky new chant for the 25-year-old hitman.

Hogh lapped up every goal and was given a standing ovation by the 4,000 travelling supporters as he claimed the match ball before orchestrating the full-time celebrations.

Discussing his new song, he admitted: “I try to recognise it, but I'm not the best at Scottish. But I hear they shouted some of my name, so I smiled on the pitch when I heard it. It's great. Yeah, massive support. As I said, on the pitch when I heard they were screaming and also when we scored the other goals, I was just so happy. And you could see it on the pitch.

“How much does it help to have a connection with the fans? A lot. Of course it’s always good to have great supporters behind your back and I think the whole team felt it today and we’re happy that we can give a good result and a good performance.”

Hogh is already developing a special connection with the club’s fanbase, but the Danish international also seems to have struck up a bromance with fellow Scandinavian Benjamin Nygren, both on and off the park.

Swedish playmaker Nygren linked well and grabbed an assist for his new centre-forward before getting on the scoresheet himself. It’s a close bond that Hogh admits has made settling in far easier.

"Yeah, of course, he's Swedish also, so it's easier for me,” he stated. “I can speak my Danish to him, so it's natural, you know, and he's just such a good guy and the same with Sebastian [Tounekti] also. Of course the whole team, but it's easier when you can speak your own language.

"I don't know if I'm a big personality... I try to be myself and I can just say the boys have taken good care of me, so I'm thankful for that."

The new number nine was ruthless in the penalty box as he scored from two headers and an excellent first-time finish in the first-half - but was quick to share the credit afterwards.

"Yeah and some great assists for the boys,” he added. “The first one was almost in the goal, you know, so I just had to be there. So all respect to the team also. They are some good footballers. And they also have to learn me, like my patterns and all that, so it's just nice that I can be there and touch it in the goal. As I said, it's some good assists."

Quizzed on how he has been forming connections with his new team-mates, Hogh responded: "Of course, you can always be better. So I just have to do my best every day and work on it so I can play with the good guys on the pitch. We just take one day at a time and work hard. There were more chances for me, so I have to go home and work harder.”

As for setting personal goals, Hogh is keeping those close to his chest. "I just take one day at a time,” he said. “But of course I have dreams also and targets in my head.”