Andraz Sporar has admitted that he never seriously considered joining Celtic during the January transfer window.
After scoring five times in the group phase of the Europa League it always seemed likely that the 25-year-old would be sold by Slovan Bratislava as soon as the transfer window opened up.
With Odsonne Edouard Celtic’s only genuine striking option in the first half of the season bringing in a ready-made striker was a priority for Neil Lennon.
Sporar fitted perfectly into Celtic’s profile but it seems that Sporting Lisbon had similar thoughts with the Slovenian moving to Portugal in a £5m January deal.
Discussing his transfer options, the striker told the Daily Record:
I gave Hugo Viana my word I would sign for Sporting. I had other offers – most noticeably from Celtic. I kept in touch with Celtic all the way through January and my agent also spoke to other clubs too.
Regarding Celtic, I talked to them and explained I had promised Sporting I would sign for them and they ended their interest. I wanted to sign from Sporting from the start and I was delighted when they closed the transfer.
Of course I already knew Sporting were a big club, but it’s not until you get here that you really feel it. We have a new manager now and the fans here are excellent.
Even though it hasn’t been a great season for the club, I have no regrets at all about signing for them
Celtic switched their attention to Patryk Klimala but Leigh Griffiths rediscovering his scoring form has left the Polish striker sitting on the sidelines.
Since moving to Portugal Sporar has scored twice in six appearances for Sporting.
