Barry Robson believes his best years are in front of him at Celtic after completing a life-changing switch from Dundee United at the age of 29.Celtic splashed out £1.25million on the skilful midfielder on Thursday, who has scored 12 goals this season for the Tangerines.

Robson took the hard way to the big time after leaving Rangers for Inverness more than a decade ago without playing for the Ibrox first team.

His career in the Highlands did not always go to plan - he spent almost a season on loan at Forfar - but he won a move to Tannadice in 2003 and became United's captain and key player.

And Robson, who is ineligible for Saturday's Scottish Cup tie at Kilmarnock, believes the upward trajectory will continue.

"I'm a fit guy, I have looked after myself for the past seven or eight years," he said.

"I feel as though my best years are ahead of me, every pre-season I come back feeling fitter and stronger.

"I am looking forward to the next three-and-a-half years - I feel my body is getting stronger as I go along.

"Celtic says it all, the size of the football club, the competitions you are playing in. I just want to be part of it."

Dozens of promising players have moved from SPL clubs to the Old Firm and failed to nail down a regular first-team spot in recent years.

Derek Riordan had scored 43 goals in two seasons for Hibernian and, like Robson, had a solitary Scotland cap before struggling to get a chance for Celtic.

But Robson believes his versatility can help his cause.

"I think I can play centre, left or right, I'm comfortable playing any of them," said the midfielder.

"If I get the chance and do the business, I will stay in the side, it is the same at any club.

"But I am under no illusions, I know how good (Aiden) McGeady, (Shunsuke) Nakamura, (Paul) Hartley, Scott Brown are from playing against them.

"But I want to play with them, it's not about me, it's about the team and making sure we win things."

Robson also has his sights set on adding to that one cap, gained from a substitute appearance in the 1-0 friendly win over South Africa in August last year.

"When you are playing at the level Celtic are playing at, Champions League, cup finals, up the top of the league, it can only help," said Robson, who will join new Scotland boss George Burley's 27-man squad for a training camp on Sunday.

"I love playing for my country, I have done it once and I want to add a lot more.

"But first and foremost I need to break into the (Celtic) side and I can't wait to try to do that."

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan senses Robson's arrival will boost competition across his midfield.

"We have been working on this for a wee while now - he gives us lots of options," said Strachan.

"I'm sure Barry arriving, a few of the players, not just one or two, are saying to themselves 'we better step up because he is ready to step in'.

"He has been annoying me for two-and-a-half years so I thought that's enough, we may as well get him along here.

"So it saves that worry and to have him on our side he gives us goals, energy, determination, the will to win."

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