Joel Embiid has laid down the gauntlet to the Boston Celtics by declaring he can't wait to kick their 'a**' and talk 's***' with the Philadelphia 76ers when they do battle in London on Thursday.

The two Eastern Conference rivals meet at the O2 Arena in the eighth regular-season installment of the NBA London Global Game - in what is bound to be an exciting encounter.

The first-placed Celtics (33-10) have edged both matches in America so far this season, but Embiid is confident that will change across the Atlantic on January 11 as he looks to put on a show.

Joel Embiid says he can't wait to kick talk 's***' and kick the Boston Celtics' 'a**' on Thursday

Embiid will be part of the 76ers team facing the Celtics at London's O2 Arena on January 11

The clash will be the eighth regular-season installment of the NBA London Global Game

'We played them [Boston] earlier, they're a good team, we just have to be really good defensively,' the 23-year-old told Sportsmail.

'I'm excited to play them in London and I can't wait to kick their a**.

'We play together, we're a fun team. It's exciting, I think the fans love it. When I go out there, we want to win, but I want to put on a show too.

'I've been doing a great job of it, especially with the fans and getting them into the game and stuff, if they're not into the game, that makes me slippy and usually I don't have a good game.

'When the fans are cheering, we go out there and I'm talking s***, it's fun.'

'We play together, we're a fun team. I think the fans love it,' the center said of 76ers basketball

The ninth-placed 76ers (19-19) will be the 'home' team on Thursday but the usual partisan atmosphere at their Wells Fargo Center will be replaced by one of more neutrality, with many European-based Celtics fans expected to attend. However, if that is the case Embiid says it will merely increase his performance level.

'It's going to be different,' he remarked on the atmosphere. 'There is going to be a lot of Celtics fans, there is going to be a lot of Sixers fans.

'Celtics fans will maybe boo us, the Sixers fans will do the same to them.

'I hope that Celtics fans boo me so I raise my game, it makes me want to kick other people's a****.'

After missing his first two seasons in the NBA due to injury, Embiid showed glimpses of his rare talent as he played 31 games for the 76ers last season in his rookie year.

The 23-year-old is enjoying an impressive season in his second campaign after injury-hit years

This time around though the center's impact on Philadelphia is in full force as he averages 23.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game to become the franchise's cornerstone alongside Ben Simmons.

The 7ft Cameroonian has been labelled a superstar of the league - something he feels he isn't quite yet. Despite his ability, he only took up basketball at 15, after originally planning to play professional volleyball in Europe upon leaving Africa.

'I don't know if I'm a superstar yet, but if you say so, it's hard, it takes a lot of work,' he added.

'Especially for somebody like me because I started playing basketball in 2011 and to reach this level so fast, sometimes I see that and I'm like, I didn't know I did it. I'm a hard working guy and it's hard, but you got to put in the work.

While the impending trip to London may be a first for some of his team-mates, the visit to the English capital won't be for Embiid - who cites Arsenal as his favourite Premier League team.

The 7ft Cameroonian is averaging 23.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks this term

'I was in London this past summer, I used to love Paris so much, but after going to London I just fell in love with it,' he said.

'It's different, the atmosphere. Overall just looking at people, just a lot of tourists, I just loved it, I'm a big Paris fan, I speak French obviously. The afternoon tea, I love that.

'My favourite team is Real Madrid, Hala Madrid! In England it's Arsenal, I'm a Gunner.

'They've been doing good, I'm excited. It's a tough league, obviously Manchester City is up there. To make the Champions League is hard too, Manchester City, United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool... There are only four spots, Arsenal too, it's hard.

'I love it. I've played football myself my whole life. Every Saturday I wake up early to watch the games.'