Celtic defender Cristian Gamboa has revealed that a Spanish personal trainer is fuelling his ambitions to be fight for this summer’s World Cup.

The Costa Rican internationalist was part of the side who beat Scotland at Hampden last week but the 28-year-old knows that he must prove his fitness ahead of his country’s trip to Russia in June.

Gamboa has made just three first-team appearances for Celtic this season. As such, he has embarked on his own training regime following his daily drills at Lennoxtown as he looks to get into optimum condition ahead of the prestigious tournament.

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“I have brought a personal trainer over from Spain to help me,” he explained.

“I need to think about myself now.

“I have been doing a lot of extra in the gym because I know that situation at Celtic.

“It is difficult for me because they are winning every weekend.

“I have been working with this guy for the last two weeks and I will keep working with him until the end of the season.

“The quality of the training at Celtic every day is very good but you still need extra and you need to find this by yourself.

“You cannot fix your roof when it is raining!

“Right now I’m in a difficult situation as I’m not playing.

“If I try to go to another place it would be hard because my next step, where is it going to be?

“For now I just want to concentrate on getting to the World Cup and then see what happens.”Gamboa’s experience may be what sets him apart as he looked to maintain his place in the squad but he is reluctant to take anything for granted, particularly since game time has been so hard to come back in Glasgow this season.

The defender was part of the Costa Rican side who made it to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup so he has the advantage of being able to say that he has been there and done it.

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“It is a difficult situation and it is not ideal,” he said. “But, I just have to make sure I am fit and I am ready for the World Cup. The good thing is that I know Costa Rica trust me a lot.

“I have played 70 odd games for them and the manager knows I have experience of playing in a World Cup.

“I can only take what Celtic give me and hopefully be ready. The World Cup is a massive thing for me and that’s why I’m doing all that I can. I cannot demand to play in every game as that is not my decision.

“That’s why I have being doing extra sessions after training.”

Gamboa was signed by Brendan Rodgers in August 2016 on a three year deal but it is inevitable that he will seek to go elsewhere this summer as he looks for first-team football.

However, he has maintained that he has no beef with Rodgers since there can be little to quibble about given the way that Celtic have dominated the domestic landscape in recent seasons.

“I have spoken to the manager and he understands the situation,” he said. “I also understand his situation.

“He has Mikael Lustig and know Jack Hendry, who can also play right back. I need to take care of myself. If they need my then I have to be ready. I’m just waiting.

“Celtic is a big club and sometimes you have to accept these decisions. I can’t say it is good or it is wrong. For me I just have to think about myself.”

Gamboa could be in the unique position of being part of a team who makes Scottish football history this season if Celtic do succeed in going on to win back-to-back Trebles. On paper it would be a decent boast to be part of such an achievement but it is hides the frustration that inevitably lingers over the lack of game time.

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“My aim is just to finish the season well with Celtic,” said the defender. “It would be nice to finish with another Treble. A double Treble would be good.

“I’m happy to be part of a great club like Celtic. Celtic give you the opportunity to win trophies.

“You cannot complain too much about not playing as they are always winning. I need to support the players that are playing. I suppose if I could win three medals and play in Russia it would still be a good season.”

In any case, there will be something for Gamboa to smile about when Celtic reconvene at Lennoxtown later this week following their win over Scotland.

“I was joking with all the Scotland boys before the game so it will be nice going back to Lennoxtown having won,” he smiled. “I think Scotland did well certainly in the second and it was good preparation for us for the World Cup.”