Juninho sadness at Celtic failure
Juninho will leave Celtic Park devastated having failed to make his mark, according to his agent.
A dream debut in the 1-0 win over Rangers in August made him an instant hero with the Hoops fans but having started just 13 matches since he has decided to give up on trying.
The Brazilian World Cup winner will soon be returning to his homeland with Palmeiras but the 32-year-old playmaker will leave bewildered as to why he could never hold down a place in Martin O’Neill’s trophy-chasing first team.
His agent Brian Hassell said: “He is very disappointed with how things have transpired. I have been in this game an awful long time and after 30-odd years to see his first game against Rangers, with the Celtic crowd, was one of the biggest thrills in my life.
“So you can understand how he must be feeling with the way things have gone since then. Everyone concerned is disappointed that it has come to this. Of course he has regrets.
“For some reason it just hasn’t gone right but when you have 50 caps for Brazil you learn to deal with things like this and eventually he will pick himself up.”
Hassell admitted the former Middlesbrough favourite was close to a move back to his homeland.
He continued: “Talks are still ongoing at the moment but what has been written in the Brazilian press (about a deal being nearly done) is pretty true.
“Palmeiras are the only club that have been serious about signing him and he has a good feeling about them.
“They wanted him before he went to Celtic but I am not at liberty to say anything more at this moment.”
Celtic youngster Ross Wallace, meanwhile, has vowed to make a swift return to action after being given the all-clear on what he suspected was a serious leg injury.
