Erik Sviatchenko reveals why Celtic return didn’t happen

With the Celtic squad looking much more settled now, it is easy to forget that at the beginning of the campaign, things were looking very shaky for the Hoops. They had finished 25 points behind the Rangers in the previous campaign, several loan players had returned to their clubs and a number of the stars were on their way out of Parkhead in the summer transfer window as well.

With Kristoffer Ajer leaving the club to join Brentford, Celtic needed to bring in another defender. And one player that they were linked with is FC Midtjylland’s Erik Sviatchenko.

Sviatchenko had already spent a couple of years at Celtic in the past and rumours suggested that the club were interested in making a Parkhead return happen.

Now, Sviatchenko has admitted that there had been initial talks with Celtic and there was some truth to the rumours. But ultimately, Ange Postecoglou might have played a role it the move not taking place. As reported by Football Scotland, the FC Midtjylland star said:

"“There was actually a little bit of truth in it.“We had some initial talks with Celtic but the new manager wanted players that he had to choose.“As I understood it, I was highly-rated and someone who could have been considered but they took a different centre-back.“It was nice to be linked and it did blow up on the internet which was fun to be a part of.“It was just between my agent and the club.”"

Sviatchenko has admitted to initial talks with Celtic

Sviatchenko has been extremely impressive in recent times and was even part of a winning FC Midtjylland side against Celtic in the UEFA Championship qualification phase this season.

But Celtic decided to go in a different direction and signed Carl Starfelt while also bringing in Cameron Carter-Vickers on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

One can only wonder how things would have gone if they had brought back Sviatchenko but there is no denying the fact that the Celtic defence looks much more solid now than it had in the previous season.

Starfelt’s form has blown hot and cold but he has shown glimpses of his brilliant potential. On the other hand, Carter-Vickers has been tremendous and the Hoops are expected to try to sign him on a permanent basis from Tottenham Hotspur.