Forgotten Celtic flop seals bumper transfer 18 months on from horror Parkhead stint as he ends nine-year spell with club
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THE 2023/24 season was one that brought a league and cup double to Celtic.
But while there was widespread success in Brendan Rodgers' first season back, not everything went exactly to plan.
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Nat Phillips endured a tricky time of things at Celtic
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Phillips had been with Liverpool since 2016
Credit: Getty
Despite Celtic's impressive campaign, many of the players signed ahead of the season haven't gone on to hit the heights that might've been expected.
Luis Palma, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm were among the big summer recruits.
They'd enjoy more success in the January window with Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah the two big name arrivals.
One player who left the Celts that month was Nat Phillips.
The big defender's departure brought an end to a torrid loan spell from Liverpool.
A defensive injury crisis towards the end of the summer transfer window saw Rodgers enter the market for centre-back cover.
And on deadline day, Phillips arrived on a short-term loan deal from Liverpool.
But Phillips, 28, would go on to endure a tough time of things at Celtic Park.
His five-month stint ended with Phillips having made just eight appearances for the Hoops in all competitions.
Phillips' last appearance was a particularly torrid one, as he netted an own goal in a 2-1 defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in a game where he struggled badly.
Celtic icon Peter Grant lifts the lid on former teammate Mo Johnston's shocking move to Rangers and reveals whether he's forgiven him for it
Having made his senior debut for Liverpool in 2019, Phillips had failed to enjoy a regular run of first team football during his career.
A defensive crisis at Anfield saw him play 20 times in the 2020/21 campaign, but he'd feature just a further eight times in all competitions for the club.
He had short loan spells at Stuttgart and Bournemouth before moving on another loan to Cardiff immediately after his Celtic exit.
Last season, Phillips finally enjoyed a campaign of regular action.
That was during a season-long loan at Derby County, where he played 33 times to help the Rams maintain their Championship status.
Now, he's on the move again and this time it's permanent.
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Phillips has sealed a £3million move to West Brom on a three-year deal.
The Baggies will be hoping to mount a promotion challenge under new boss Ryan Mason this coming season.
They've been out of the top tier since being relegated in 2021.
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