I won 88 Ireland caps and Celtic came in for me twice – I'm pals with one of the owners, he's bemused it didn't happen
He had a long career in a top league but revealed he regretted never moving to Parkhead
LONG SHOT I won 88 Ireland caps and Celtic came in for me twice – I'm pals with one of the owners, he's bemused it didn't happen
CELTIC have a long history of great Irish players wearing the Hoops, as their links remain strong to the club's origins.
But a former Ireland international has opened up on his regret at twice missing out on a move to Celtic.
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A former Ireland international with 88 caps has revealed he nearly moved to Celtic
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The ex-striker spent most of his career in the English Premier League
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Shane Long played for five clubs down south but twice missed out on the chance to sign for Celtic
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Shane Long had a long career down south in England, mostly spent in the Premier League.
The ex-striker spent the first five years of his career in the top two tiers with Reading, before a four-season stint in the Premier League with West Brom and Hull.
He then stayed in the top flight with Southampton for seven campaigns, with a loan to Bournemouth in the Championship in between, before returning to Reading for the final season of his career.
But he has revealed he came close to joining Celts on a couple of occasions, and would have been open to a stint in the Scottish Premiership.
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Long told BoyleSports, who offer the latest Irish Premier Division Odds & Betting, about the moves which never came about.
He said: "The first time I was at Reading I ended up leaving to play for West Brom under Roy Hodgson, but Celtic were in for me too.
"I was very close to going to Celtic.
"There was also a transfer window when I was at Southampton when I wasn't really playing.
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"I felt I needed to leave to play football, and Celtic were in for me then too.
"It was very close to happening but there was an injury and I broke back into the team.
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"The move didn't happen in the end and a good friend of mine is now one of the owners and he always asks me why it didn't happen.
"Obviously being Irish and having that opportunity was really appealing to me but sadly it never happened."
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