New Celtic signing Kolo Toure has said that he can't wait to get started with his new club and aims to be a winner after being reunited with Brendan Rodgers.

Toure played under the Celtic manager while at Liverpool and has signed a one-year contract with the Scottish champions after his Anfield deal expired.

The 35-year-old said Celtic were already a huge draw but Rodgers' presence made the decision to join an easy one.

"I left a great club [in Liverpool] and I'm joining a great club," he said. "I'm looking forward to it.

"Celtic has a great history and for me it is a privilege to play for one of the best clubs in the world. I'm looking forward to it, definitely.

"If you are linked with a club like Celtic you would be really happy as a football player. For me, when I heard that I was really, really happy but at the same time, by joining Brendan Rodgers it was something really special as well.

"We've been working together at Liverpool and it's been a great time there. Now to come here and work with him is great."

Toure was full of praise for Rodgers, recalling how he lead Liverpool to within two points of the Premier League title.

"He's a top manager," the defender said. "We nearly won the league with him and we had a great, great season. But were really, really unlucky at the end.

"For me, he's one of the best. He's being doing well everywhere he went. He's been in Swansea and did a great job, at Liverpool he did a great job again and I am sure he'll do a great job here.

"It's simple. It's joining one of the best clubs in the world and wanting to keep this team at that level.

"When you come and play at a top club you have to be able to cope with the pressure, you have to be able to deliver results.

"That's why he's here. That's why I'm here.

"We'll try to give everything we've got to make Celtic a better team."

Toure isn't part of the squad that has travelled to Kazakhstan for the Champions League qualifier against Astana but says he has no problem sitting on the sidelines momentarily, though he wants to make a contribution as soon as possible.

"I'm fit," he said. "Of course I just joined the team and I need time to be ready.

"I will work hard. I can't tell you when [I'll be ready] but I will give everything I've got to be able to help my teammates.

"I've just joined and there are guys who have been training for two months. The manager is the best guy to make that decision. We stick to every decision the manager makes because everything is for the good of the team."