STEVEN CAULKER has admitted that he was close to joining Celtic in the summer before deciding to remain in London and continue his recovery.
Curiously though the 26-year-old did follow Brendan Rodgers up the road and into the Scottish game when he signed a short term contract for Dundee yesterday.
The theory doing the rounds on social media is that the Celtic manager helped organise this move to get Caulker game-time and see the Scottish game for himself before moving to Celtic in the summer.
Rodgers completed a last gasp deal with Dundee to sign Jack Hendry for £1.2million just before the transfer window slammed shut. That seemed to leave Dundee short in both quality and quality at the back but has Brendan killed two birds with one stone by facilitating this move?
The big defender signed for Neil McCann’s Dundee yesterday after leaving QPR in December and the ex-Liverpool defender has suggested that he could have Brendan Rodgers at Celtic at an earlier stage.
“It came close. I decided in the end to stay in London. I was early on in my recovery and I felt my support network was best in London.
“I opted out of Scotland at that moment but I’m pleased to be up here now and it’s good to see Brendan doing really well there again.”
Caulker has openly admitted his struggles with mental health and the move to Scotland could revitalise his career.
With Rodgers already openly admitting his admiration of Caulker, it seems likely that the Celtic manager will be paying close attention to the progression of Caulker for the rest of the season and will be in a great position to make a move if things work out well for the player at Dens Park.
It has to be said that this is a stunning piece of business for Dundee who with Caulker beside former Celt Darren O’Dea are going to be tough to get past for most of the teams in the league.
Meanwhile it has been a busy day so far at The Celtic Star…
???? A CELTIC STATE OF MIND ????
???? @anorthernprose and @pauldykes have just spent an hour chatting to Inspiral Carpets’ @therealboon.
This is how it feels…
Out this weekend. pic.twitter.com/n5AvPtHQgC
— A Celtic State of Mind (@celticstarpod) February 9, 2018
The current A Celtic State of Mind Podcast features a superb interview with Neil Lennon. You must have a listen…
Jim Craig will start his daily Celtic blog on Monday morning exclusively on The Celtic Star. You will be able to sign up and join in the Celtic conversation with a Lisbon Lion and fellow supporters.
