Norwich City loanee Sydney van Hooijdonk admits that he spoke to Celtic last summer but a winter move to the Scottish Premiership champions was never on the cards.
Speaking to Anglian publication the Pink’ Un, Van Hooijdonk admits that discussions did take place during the summer of 2023. But, despite much speculation, they would not be revisited in the opening weeks of 2024.
Celtic held Sydney van Hooijdonk talks
“To be honest, I didn’t speak with Celtic this winter,” says the former Heerenveen talisman, who is reportedly valued by Bologna at £4 million and has an option-to-buy clause in his Norwich contract.
“You see a lot of things but, this winter, I didn’t speak with them. Yes, last summer, there was a bit. (Celtic) is a lovely club, and I am a fan of them as well.
“But the Championship and (joining a Norwich) team that is fighting for the play-offs was really nice. This league is at a higher level than that league.
“So I’m really happy to be here.”
Adam Idah makes flying start under Brendan Rodgers
Van Hooijdonk – who’s admiration for the green-clad Glasgow giants can be explained by the fact his father Pierre represented The Hoops in the 1990s – scored 19 goals on loan at Heerenveen in 2022/23 but struggled to secure a regular spot ahead of the in-form Joshua Zirkzee at Bologna.
Celtic legend Peter Grant feels that a lack of game time in Italy played a key part in Celtic opting against renewing their interest in January. When it comes to mid-season additions, players capable of hitting the ground running are usually preferred. Rodgers, then, opted instead for Idah, a man who had featured regularly for Norwich in the first half of the campaign.
Idah took his tally to five goals in five Scottish Premiership games on Wednesday night, backing up his match-winning brace at Motherwell with another strike in hte 7-1 shellacking of Dundee.
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