JOSIP JURANOVIC admits he's flattered to have been linked with a huge move to Atletico Madrid, but he's just desperate to play in the Champions League with Celtic.

The Croatian international full back was tipped to go to the La Liga giants after a hugely impressive first season with the Scottish champions.

Atletico have made buying a new right back a priority and Celtic are desperate to keep Juranovic, who will be going to the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

But, in a TV interview with Zagreb-based RTL, Juranovic insisted he's counting down the days to play in the Champions League with Celtic.

He said: "I hope there was something in the stories, but honestly I didn't even ask our manager or anything about it. I didn't care.

"I have to keep my feet firmly on the ground.

"It was Atletico Madrid after all, but I'm at a big club already, Celtic.

"Finally I have the chance to play in the Champions League here. Just to hear the atmosphere, that anthem and to get to play on that stage.

"At Croatia, when you have a player like Josko Guardiol, who has been mentioned to make an £80 million move, as a teammate, you immediately gain great confidence being in the same side as someone like him.

"Then we have players like Martin Erlic, Josip Sutalo and Josip Stanisic - they have all won good transfers to big clubs.

"So the future is bright for Croatian football."