Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko believes he is playing the best football of his career under Brendan Rodgers.

The Danish centre-back has been a key player since his January arrival from FC Midtjylland but the 25-year-old feels his game has improved due to changes made by Rodgers since replacing Ronny Deila.

Now he is hoping to hold off a resurgent Jozo Simunovic and retain his spot in the starting line-up for the crucial Champions League clash against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Sviatchenko became a father for the first time earlier this year, with partner Anne Rudmose giving birth to a baby boy in April.

Happiness on and off the field as well as tweaks by Rodgers to Celtic's system means Sviatchenko was in cheery mood ahead of Wednesday's game in Glasgow.

He said: "I think you need competition at a big club. If you want to be the best, you need to have competitors around you. I'm playing the best I've ever played so I'm feeling very confident.

"Socially and mentally I'm in a really good place. I feel comfortable at the club, I've figured out my role in life around football.

"The playing style suits me perfectly - the way the manager wants to play defending on the front foot gives me the opportunity to shine as well."

Asked about how things had changed at Celtic Park since last season, Sviatchenko added: "I would say structure and organisation on lots of things.

"The fitness of the players has been a big improvement. You can see that now we are playing lot of games but nobody is actually struggling getting through the games so I think those are the words I'd put on it.