When Valencia run out to face Celtic tonight Brendan Rodgers will get to experience the emotions of a Bullseye contestant.
‘Here’s what you could have won’ might be the phrase that springs to mind as Cristiano Piccini takes off his tracksuit and lines up for the Spanish side.
As the summer transfer window closed with key areas in the Celtic side, notably defence, still looking vulnerable word emerged of Celtic’s failed attempt to sign Piccini.
The financial problems at Sporting Lisbon created an opportunity where Celtic seemed in with a genuine chance of signing a player of quality. A 26-year-old Italian with playing experience at Fiorentina, Real Betis and Sporting.
Somewhere down the line the door closed on that deal, Valencia moved in with Mikael Lustig rushed back from the World Cup to play in Champions League qualifiers.
At the end of January Celtic managed to secure Jeremy Toljan on loan from Borussia Dortmund but come the end of the season the right-back search will resume.
Asked about the chase for Piccini Rodgers told the Daily Record: “Yeah, it didn’t happen and he went away. He’s an outstanding player which I’m sure you’ll see but listen, it happens. We targeted a player who we thought we could get but for whatever reason it didn’t happen but that’s okay, we move on.
“Of course in the current market it’s very difficult for us. So you find the purpose to push on and develop in other ways and the longer I am here the more I understand it.
“It’s not all about the numbers. My life is coaching, I love making and improving and developing players.
“OK, there are certain areas where at times you need to spend to find quality. Especially when you specifically need something. And you always have to push for your team to improve but listen, it’s where it’s at.”
Valencia signed Piccini on a four year contract with a fee of 8 million euros paid to Sporting Lisbon.