Mika Biereth reveals Heartwarming Support from Celtic Star in His Scottish Settlement
According to Mika Biereth, a Celtic player assisted him in settling down in Scotland.
After taking one look at Scottish football, Mika Biereth came to the conclusion that the sport is made for roughhousing.
In Sunday’s victory over Hibs, an impressive Motherwell debut for the Arsenal resulted in a goal and an assist in a standout display. The 20-year-old, who came on in the second half as a substitute, made the most of his chance by first setting up Connor Wilkinson’s opening goal and then scoring what ultimately proved to be the game-winning goal.
Biereth played for RKC Waalwijk during the previous season, but in just over 40 minutes in Scotland, he has already scored half as many goals as he did in the Eredivisie.
The striker outmuscled Will Fish for his own goal after robbing Lewis Stevenson to set up Wilkinson. He was a continuous headache for the Hibs defense.
At Fir Park, he was motivated to make an impact as soon as possible, and given that he did not participate in a preseason, he believes he still has enough to offer.
And Biereth believes he is prepared to succeed when others might shudder at the SPFL’s more strong elements.
“It wasn’t bad!” he smiled. “I think I got about 40 minutes; I was cramping up a little bit at the end but all good – a goal, an assist, and three points.
“Nothing to complain about. It was important for me to get off to a good start.
“It’s always important a striker to get off the mark as quickly as you can. So to do it in the first game is all good.
“That’s my first 40 minutes of the season. That includes pre-season as well.
“I was out for a little bit with a quad strain. That’s the first real game time I’ve had.
“I’m not feeling as sharp as I can do but I don’t feel too bad. There’s definitely a lot more to come from me.
“I’m not sure I had more than 45 in the tank so just having to build up.
“I think it’s hard not to love Scottish football so far – three points in front of the home fans, a goal, assist, so here’s hoping for more of the same.
“I like the physical side of the game, I feel that I feed off that. I’m not too annoyed if someone hits me; I’ll just hit them back, it’s not the end of the world.
“Some people don’t like it, some people do. I’m one who does like it.”
Biereth believes he has adapted to life in Scotland without any difficulty.
Given that he had other options this summer, he is convinced he made the right choice in selecting Motherwell since he immediately feels more at ease here than he did in the Netherlands.
He earned a youth cap for Denmark and shared the field with Matt O’Riley of Celtic during national team training sessions and in Fulham’s academy.
O’Riley scored at Pittodrie a few hours before his countryman took center stage in Lanarkshire, according to Biereth, who said the midfielder has been easily reachable by phone ever since moving north of the border.
“I think the environment is completely different here,” said Biereth. “In Holland, it was my first loan, my first taste of men’s football.
“So I think it took a bit of time to get used to it. There were a few other things, non-football related. It is what it is.
“But here, I’ve felt really good and really comfortable. I feel like I’ve settled in with the lads already.
“Things have gone well off the pitch so I think that shows on the pitch.
“I had a good amount of loan options. But after speaking to the gaffer here, I felt it was a no-brainer.
“Just in terms of how Motherwell play, how I’d fit into it. I feel that was a little glimpse into how it can go.
“I spoke to Matt O’Riley. We were at Fulham before and both played for the Danish youth team.
“So since I’ve been here, I’ve texted him loads. He’s helped me out where to stay in Glasgow, where to go and eat and all that sort of stuff.
“Matt’s been really useful. I saw he scored as well, so I’ve sent him a little message.”
Mika Biereth reveals Heartwarming Support from Celtic Star in His Scottish Settlement
