Celtic summer signing target reveals that Ange said no to deal

Erik Sviatchenko has revealed how Age Postecoglou knocked back a summertime return to Celtic. 

The defender spent two years at Celtic under Ronny Deila and Brendan Rodgers, bought from then sold back to Midtjylland. 

Before the Champions League draw paired the two clubs together in July Sviatchenko was again linked with a move to Celtic as Postecoglou faced a massive rebuild. 

Sviatchenko did make it to Celtic Park in the summer but it was wearing the captain’s armband of Midtjylland as they fought out a 1-1 draw in the Champions League before going through at home after extra-time. 

Asked about that speculation, the defender told Football Scotland: 

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. It was a hectic speculation time. 

Celtic started the home match against Midtjylland with Stephen Welsh and Nir Bitton in central defence, when the Israeli was sent off Dane Murray came on for his debut and started the return leg in Denmark. 

Carl Starfelt was signed and made his debut in the opening SPFL Premiership match when Celtic lost 2-1 to Hearts at Tynecastle.