Agathe denies Celtic exit plans
24/06/2005 - 14:50:53Celtic star Didier Agathe today distanced himself from remarks claiming he is looking to leave the club after being denied moves to Juventus and Valencia by Martin O’Neill.
The La Reunion-born wing-back had reportedly been quoted in Clicanoo, a newspaper in his homeland, claiming he was denied lucrative moves to Spain, Italy and England.
But the 29-year-old is furious with those suggestions and has moved quickly to pledge his commitment to the club.
“These stories about me wanting to leave Celtic are nonsense,” he told the club’s website, celticfc.net.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard about them this morning because I have never said anything like this and have no idea where it has come from.
“I’ve been at Celtic for five years now and I’ve never said that I wanted to leave this club so why would I come out with something like this now?
“I would also never say anything against Martin O’Neill because he was great for me and I have too much respect for him.
“I’m very happy to be at Celtic and, at the moment, I’m just looking forward to coming back for the start of the new season and working with Gordon Strachan.”
Agathe was quoted as saying: “I still have one year left under contract at Celtic but I am still moved by a deep-rooted desire to discover new horizons.
“That opportunity was there for me on two or three occasions but Celtic changed their mind at the last minute.
“There was a deal done to take me to Valencia and I thought that was cut and dried.
“As for Juventus I had actually organised my house move. More recently there was an interesting proposition from Crystal Palace.
“Now I am practically under freedom of contract and negotiations in future will be much easier.”
<-- BACK TO STORY