Ivan Toney in this video explains why he ended up at Brentford and not Celtic after having a conversation with the then Celtic manager Neil Lennon. “We went to Celtic and I’m one of three strikers or something like this. At the time I was moving, I wanted to be the main guy.”

Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths were of course already at the club, yet Neil Lennon was well aware of the want-away status of the French striker. Had he taken Toney into his confidence on that one and allowed Edouard the move he wanted so badly, things could have ended up very differently that season.

Motherwell v Celtic –  Odsonne Edouard, Leigh Griffiths, Olivier Ntcham and Patryk Klimala warming up before the Scottish Premiership match at Fir Park, Motherwell. Photo Steve Welsh

And of course Celtic were in the market for a new striker and ended up spending £5m on a transfer fee to West Ham for Albian Ajeti who has been a hugely disappointing – and costly – signing for Celtic. The Swiss international is now in the final year of his contract and looks set to sit things out to ensure he receives every single penny of his large salary at the club.

Toney of course later had his problems with the FA over his gambling habit – so would not have been without problems for Celtic – however none of that was known in the summer of 2020 when Toney was at Lennoxtown, apparently wanting to sign, but was left unsure of where he’d rank in the striker pecking order.

20th August 2023; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland: Scottish Viaplay Cup Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Neil Lennon and Michael Stewart on Viaplay sports to preview the match

Here’s Ivan Toney explaining what happened from his perspective…

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