CELTIC new boy Lassad Nouioui has vowed to prove he is more than just a target man if he is handed his debut against St Johnstone on Saturday.

The 6ft 2in Tunisian internationalist has been brought to Parkhead in order to add an extra dimension to Neil Lennon's team up front.

Before the capture of the former Deportivo La Coruna hitman, Lennon could only call on Gary Hooper, Anthony Stokes and Tony Watt.

Georgios Samaras – facing four weeks out with a damaged elbow – provides an aerial presence in the final third, but, so far this season, has been played out wide by the Hoops boss.

So Nouioui looks set to offer the Northern Irishman with a Plan B in domestic and European football if a situation demands it.

However, the 26-year-old, who banged in 18 goals last season as Deportivo won promotion back into La Liga, has stressed there is more to his game than his height and strength.

And after over a week of training at his new club's Lennoxtown complex he is hoping to get the chance to show Celtic fans what he is capable of in the SPL match in Perth this weekend.

"I am convinced that I will be able to adapt to the Scottish style of play," he said as his new club intensified their preparations for a return to league action.

"Being able to adapt to a different style of play is part of being a professional. Of course, the type of football played in La Liga is different to the type of football here.

"As a striker you have to score with any part of your body and I am okay with my head I think. But I love having the ball at my feet as well.

"I like to play simple football. I think I'm a technical player. Obviously, I like to get in front of the goal and score."

With his experience of Spanish football, Nouioui could be a potent weapon for Lennon in Celtic's eagerly-anticipated Champions League showdowns with Barcelona this season.

The Marseille-born player plied his trade in Spain for four years after joining Deportivo from French club Chateauroux back in 2008.

He is certainly hoping to be involved at some stage in the double-header against the Nou Camp giants specifically and in Europe's premier club competition in general.

The Tunisian believes Celtic have an outside chance of getting a result against Catalan superstars like Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Xavi – at home especially.

However, Nouioui has revealed his priority this season is to help his new club retain the Scottish title and perform well in the League Cup and the Scottish Cup.

"It will be difficult against Barcelona, but we have a chance," he insisted. "I know it is always very difficult for visiting teams to come to Celtic to get a result because of the atmosphere.

"But I am not just here for the Champions League. Of course, it will be interesting and attractive to play in that competition. But that was not the main reason I came to Celtic.

"I came here first of all to play in a different country, to play in a different league. Also, it will be a big challenge to play with a big club like Celtic. That was the main attraction.

"The potential to win trophies and competitions was certainly one of the attractions for me coming to Celtic."

Nouioui was not involved in his national team's World Cup qualifiers against the Cape Verde Islands and Equatorial Guinea this month.

But the three-times capped forward was pleased his compatriots won both of their matches in his absence to top their qualifying section.

"I am already playing for the national team. When I signed for Celtic my national coach came on the phone to congratulate me.

"I am sure being here will only improve my chances of playing for my country. But my main goal just now is playing well for Celtic. If I can do that then hopefully I will continue to be selected."