BRAZILIAN World Cup winner Rivaldo has revealed that Celtic offered him a trial back in 2004; however, the former Barcelona forward’s representative were less than impressed at a trial offer so declined – opting to move to Olympiacos instead.
As reported by the Scottish Sun, Martin O’Neill was keen to bring the Brazilian to Celtic Park as a marquee signing following Henrik Larsson’s move to Barcelona. A number of clubs were interested in signing him but a move to Celtic never materialised after the club only offered the chance to play for a deal.
“Yep, I remember that Celtic were interested in me back then.
“I do not remember if we ever met to discuss it. I think Celtic sent an offer, like many other clubs at that time.
“I had meetings at Manchester, London and Liverpool. Sir Alex Ferguson was interested as well as Tottenham, we even had a meeting with Daniel Levy and Liverpool, Gerard Houlier called me.
“We also had a meeting in Manchester with Bolton’s president and their manager Sam Allardyce.
“I suppose there was no direct contact with Celtic. There was an offer, but it didn’t go as far as the ones from Man United, Liverpool or Bolton.”
Replacing Larsson didn’t seem to phase Rivaldo, he was adamant that had he signed he could have made an impact at Celtic Park.
“Replacing one of the biggest players in the history of the club wouldn’t have been easy, but I’m sure that I could have made my own story at Celtic if that was to be the case.
“After all I had some good years between 2004 and 2007 at Olympiakos, scoring many goals and earning some important individual and collective titles.”
Rivaldo, who won the World Cup in 2002, was a free agent following the end of his deal with AC Milan. However, he has revealed that there were a number of offers but due to only being offered a trial, he decided to go for Olympiacos.
“Yep, some British clubs offered me a trial, Celtic and Bolton spring to mind.
“At the time it surprised me because I was in good form when I left AC Milan, so I did not understand their offer and the objective of it.
“I am sure I would have enjoyed playing in Scotland or England.
“Yes, I think that an experience in Britain would have completed my career in Europe.
“Perhaps that’s the one thing that I missed in my career.”
Celtic opted for Juninho instead and despite the fanfare of a World Cup winner replacing Larsson, he failed to live up to the expectation of the support.
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