The low key departure of Manny Perez completed a bizarre 28 month Celtic ‘career’ that literally never got off the ground. He never played a single match.
Back in January 2019 Celtic were planning ahead, especially in the full-back positions where time hadn’t been kind to Mikael Lustig and Emilio Izaguirre.
From America two young talents were identified, brought over to Lennoxtown, apparently impressed and signed up without being able to get work permits to play in Scotland.
That decision set off a variety of loans for Andrew Gutman, for Perez the entirety of his Celtic career has been spent with North Carolina in USL1, the third tier of the game in North America.
Gutman at least managed to play a few pre-season matches in July 2019, for Perez he’s likely to be a quiz question for years to come.
In keeping with his Celtic stint Perez signed for Portland Timbers and instantly went on loan to Austin, whether he gets to play for the Timbers is open to question as Celtic’s search for full-backs continues into another Transfer Window.
CLICK HERE for Perez Transfermarkt profile.
Best of luck for the future, @mannyP113! ? https://t.co/iLwsnQHDRC
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 27, 2021
Can I have a contract? Seem to give them to anyone.
— Chairman Lmao ? (@BenTheTim) April 27, 2021
Legend gutted to see him go
— greenhillsbhoy (@Paulmullen4) April 27, 2021
— Damon Weir (@DamonW44) April 27, 2021
Just wait for the announcement of Shved leaving…
— Scott Learmonth (@Scott_Learmonth) April 27, 2021
Another superb Lawwell signing
— mh ??????? (@MH67____) April 27, 2021
What a strange signing
— ???Mohamed Elyounoussi (@MoiMania_) April 27, 2021
Bizarre policy (both him and Gutman) which meant we tried to spot “gems” in the US while failing to see likes of Hickey on our doorstep.
— 2021CSC (@PatCattigan) April 27, 2021
This and Gutman were clearly more about the commercial aspect in the US. Struggling in both full back positions and neither called upon.
— Gordon (@Stormtrooper73) April 27, 2021
Wouldn’t be that late if it was his birthday ?
— Pauleye (@razorsharpt3kno) April 27, 2021