Celtic left-back Emilio Izaguirre has revealed he is bidding to become the club’s answer to Roberto Carlos.

The Honduran international has set his ambitions high after his £600,000 switch to Parkhead last month.

The 24-year-old admitted Carlos, who became a household name in world football for Real Madrid and Brazil, was his idol growing up.

And the Hoops defender hopes to emulate his hero’s antics for Neil Lennon’s side.

Izaguirre told The Daily Record: “He is the man who inspired me as a youngster and is one I have looked up to since I was a young child starting the game.

“Roberto Carlos plays the position I have always played. I like to watch his style and the way he plays the game.

“He likes to attack and seems to enjoy himself every time he steps on to the pitch. Carlos is a great player but most importantly for me, he plays in the same left-back position as I do and I have always tried to copy his style.

“I’m not sure I do the same as he does with free-kicks but I’m starting to build myself up by practising his corners.”

Celtic supporters got their first glimpse of Izaguirre a fortnight ago when he was thrust into the squad for the SPL encounter at Motherwell and he was an instant hit as he helped his side to a clean sheet and three points.

Lennon was impressed and there is a strong chance he will be in the left-back slot for Saturday’s match against Hearts.

For Izaguirre, it will be a first taste of action at Celtic Park and a crowd of almost 50,000 is expected for the showdown against Jim Jefferies’ outfit.

Several foreign players have frozen when pitched into the pressurised atmospheres of Parkhead or Ibrox but Izaguirre’s track record would suggest it won’t be a problem.

He said: “When there are classic games in Motagua, there can be crowds of 40,000 for championship matches. But I’m used to playing in front of much bigger crowds when I play for Honduras.

“Against Mexico there will be 90,000 at the match. I take extra motivation when I see so many people in the stadium.

“I understand the atmosphere and the crowds here at our home stadium can be terrific. It is something I can’t wait to experience. I want to get out there as soon as possible and would love the chance to play in my first game at Celtic Park against Hearts this weekend.”

Neil Lennon is ready to integrate his 11 new Celtic recruits into the club now the transfer window is shut and the international break is over.

Lennon signed striker Anthony Stokes on transfer deadline day, completing his 11th summer transfer in an overhaul which saw many established internationals moved on following a disappointing 2009-10 campaign.

Celtic meet Hearts on Saturday, with Stokes in contention for his debut and Lennon satisfied with the make up of his squad.

The manager told the Celtic View: “I’m pleased it’s all over because we can settle things down and we know we’re working with a group of players that isn’t going to chop and change again until January.

“It’s a young squad, it’s a hungry squad, and it’s all about managing that the right way.

“There have been quite a lot of changes but we just felt it needed doing and I’m pleased with the players who have come in.

“I think they will improve us.”

Celtic defender Glenn Loovens anticipated the changes, which included Aiden McGeady moving to Spartak Moscow in a £9.5million deal, and believes the impact will be positive.

The Dutchman told the Celtic View: “We didn’t have a good season last year so you know there are going to be players moving in and out.

“That’s normal at a big club like Celtic.

“It keeps you sharp and on your toes and you just have to make sure you are on top of your game in every match as, if you’re not, there are a few players who could get in the team no problem.”

Celtic will need to be at their best to extend their 100% start to the SPL season against Hearts at Parkhead.

Lennon expects a tough match against Jim Jefferies’ side.

“They are a strong, very good, athletic team,” said Lennon.

“Jim has them well-drilled and well-organised so it will be a stern test for us.”

Premier League outfit Arsenal will today assess the extent of Theo Walcott’s ankle injury, which could sideline the England winger for the rest of September.

Walcott had been in fine form for the Gunners, scoring four goals in three games before the international break.

However, the 21-year-old – recalled by Fabio Capello after being left out of his ill-fated World Cup squad – was taken to hospital last night for precautionary X-rays after turning his ankle in the build-up to Wayne Rooney’s opening goal in the 3-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Switzerland in Basle.

Initial fears of a break were dismissed by Capello after the match, suggesting the player felt the injury was “not a big problem”.

However, even if it is just a bad sprain with no torn ligaments, then Walcott – who has a history of niggling injury setbacks – is almost certain to miss Saturday’s Barclays Premier League visit of Bolton as well as the Champions League opener against Braga.

Betting for Arsenal’s Premier League clash has the gunners at 1.25 to get the home win, with Bolton 13.00 and the draw available at 5.50.

Full Time Result betting for the European clash with Braga on Wednesday 15th September has Arsenal at 1.30 to win in 90 minutes, with Braga 9.00 and the draw 4.75.

Walcott would be unlikely to be risked in the Carling Cup clash at rivals Tottenham, and may have to sit out the trip to Partizan Belgrade – but if all goes well could be fully match fit in time to face title rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 3rd October.

The loss of Walcott is another blow to Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, who has seen Holland striker Robin van Persie sidelined until the middle of October with an ankle problem.

With Nicklas Bendtner also unavailable due to a groin injury, summer signing Marouane Chamakh looks set to lead the line for the next few weeks.

Midfielder Samir Nasri is recovering well from knee surgery, while defender Sebastien Squillaci made his first appearance for Arsenal following a move from Sevilla in the reserves’ win over Blackburn at Underhill and could make his Premier League debut this weekend.

Arsenal are currently 6.00 to win the Barclays Premier League 2010/11

View all Soccer betting

Wolverhampton are optimistic over the possibility of summer signing Stephen Hunt finally being able to make his debut in mid-October.

Hunt has been out of action with a foot injury since making the move from Championship side Hull.

But he has stepped up his rehabilitation programme in the past week and Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is hopeful he will be available after the next international break.

McCarthy said: “We’ve got five games coming up and then we get another international break.

“If we get him back after that two-week break, and if he was fit to start, that would be fantastic.

“That’s what we’re probably aiming at. I think he’s still on target to be ready in October.”

Another Wolves player in Steven Mouyokolo has returned to full training following thigh and ankle injuries.

Wolves’ next Premier League engagement sees them take on Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday 11th november.  Betting for the match puts McCarthy’s men at 4.75 to get the away win, with Fulham 1.80 and the draw at 3.50.

Betting to be relegated from the Barclays Premier League 2010/11.

Others available on site.

View all Soccer betting

Anthony Stokes is hoping to make his Celtic debut against Hearts this weekend with one instruction from manager Neil Lennon – to score goals.

Stokes signed a four-year contract with Celtic on transfer deadline day from Hearts’ Edinburgh rivals Hibernian in a reported £1.2million deal.

The 22-year-old, who scored twice against Hearts last season, is hoping to find the target in his first appearance for the Bhoys, if he can convince Lennon he should be selected ahead of his rivals for a forward place.

“The gaffer just wants goals,” Stokes said on Celtic’s official website.

“He just said to me to do what I did at Hibs, stay in the box and get on the end of things, and it’s up to me to put him in a position where I have to play.

“I know that at a club like Celtic there’s competition all over the pitch.

“It’s down to me to do well in training and force the gaffer into a decision.”

Stokes picked up a booking for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s against Switzerland last Friday, meaning he will be suspended for the clash with Turkey tomorrow.

The striker can now focus on Saturday’s clash with Hearts at Parkhead as Celtic seek a fourth straight league win.

“I’ve been watching Celtic this season and obviously it has been very disappointing in Europe but three wins so far and three clean sheets in the league, it couldn’t really have gone much better,” added Stokes.

“The international break has been good in a way because it gave me another match to get fit for the Hearts game, but I would rather be going straight into training.

“I know the main thing for me is to keep my head down, work my socks off and get myself in the team, and I’m sure the goals will take care of themselves after that.”