Former Premier League striker reveals missed Celtic opportunity | OneFootball

Former Premier League striker Carlton Cole has revealed that he turned down an opportunity to go to Celtic in 2005. The West Ham icon would eventually sign for the Paradise club but has said that there was an opportunity when he was at the peak of his powers.

Speaking to Frank McAvennie’s Let Me Be Frank podcast, Cole stated that there had been an opportunity to sign for the club under Gordon Strachan.

“I was offered to go there before I went to West Ham. I had a meeting with Bolton and Sam Allardyce before I was going to leave, I think in 2005/06. I did a medical with Spurs and that didn’t go through and Celtic were one of the other teams.

Carlton Cole scores for Celtic. Credit: Reuters

“I wanted to stay in the Premier League, that was my main goal and that is what I needed to do. When I was eventually offered to go to Celtic, I said yes, that’s what I wanted for my life and my career.

It was just the wrong timing, it just didn’t match up.”

Ten years later, Cole would make the move to Celtic in a transfer that left many scratching their head. The veteran attacker struggled with a calf injury and looked rusty in his five appearances for the club. One goal and another contribution (that one vs Inverness) was all that the Englishman had to show for his time at the club.

Cole has taken aim at Ronny Deila for his role in the poor performances at the club but he has spoken about his pride at pulling on the Hoops.