John Hartson has urged Joe Ledley to sign for Celtic and promised the midfielder that he’ll never regret the move.
Despite strong hints that Ledley was about to sign for Celtic in midweek the player has returned to Wales without putting pen to paper.
Liverpool, amongst other Premiership sides, are reported to be interested in the midfielder who could join Celtic with only a minimal compensation fee going to Cardiff for developing the player.
Hartson spent five years at Celtic and reckons that the pressure and intensity of wearing the hoops is every bit as demanding as playing for the giants of the English game.
“When Celtic come calling, very few players turn them down,” Hartson admitted. “Celtic are not just a football club, they are an institution.
“After Manchester United, they are the biggest supported club in the world and Ledley would automatically become an idol to millions and millions across the globe.
“He would be going to a wonderful club, who will win trophies, play in Europe… and he would be appearing in front of 60,000 crowds every week.
“Yes, he had the chance to go into the Premier League. And yes, people are right when they say the Scottish Premier is more akin to the Championship, rather than the English Premier.
That Anfield goal
“I know better than anyone about the difference in standard. I played for Celtic for five years and for Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon and Coventry over the course of 10 years in England. I scored 100 goals for Celtic in those five years in Scotland, around 60-70 goals in double that time in England.
“The English Premier is clearly superior, but this is Celtic we are talking about. One of the greatest brand names in world sport.
“Every week they play to sell-out crowds, are on television, are the subject of non-stop talk on radio phone-ins and internet fan zones. They are simply huge and the opportunity to play for them doesn’t come around that often.
“The pressure and expectation level which is on players at Manchester United would also be on Ledley at Celtic and that would only make him a better player. Everybody wants Celtic’s scalp up in Scotland, just as everyone wants to beat Man Utd in England.
“Just as with Man Utd, if Celtic lose a single match it causes ructions as people look for reasons and start playing the blame game.”
Whether Ledley wants that challenge remains to be seen. After over 200 games for Cardiff any move will be a major upheaval and crucial for his career.
Cardiff have come close to promotion to the Premiership over the last two seasons but another year in the Championship holds little appeal to the 23-year-old.
The rivalry between Cardiff and Swansea is intense but purely of a local nature- with Celtic and Rangers there are trophies at stake when they go head-to-head.
It takes a special type of player to adapt and revel in the unique demands of playing in Glasgow with Hartson urging Ledley to take up the challenge.
He added: “With Cardiff City or Swansea City, players can afford to lose the odd game or two but Ledley would quickly learn with Celtic that can’t be the case.
“It means that, like Manchester United players such as Ryan Giggs, he goes over that white line with a winning mentality. That does change your mindset as a player.
“In turn, that can only help Wales with the attitude and experience Ledley will bring to international matches.”
“I’m aware of people criticising his decision to go to Scottish football, but he would be joining a truly top football club in a great city.
“It’s the sort of opportunity youngsters dream about when they are growing up and for him it could become reality.”
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