The Belgian defender was reportedly sought by former Bhoys boss Ronny Deila as Virgil van Dijk’s successor at Celtic Park.
Brandon Mechele receives his marching orders
Brandon Mechele has explained why he chose to reject a move to Celtic in 2015.
The Daily Record reports that the former Belgium Under-21 international was sought by the Bhoys as a replacement for Virgil van Dijk, who had been sold to Southampton earlier that summer.
A £3 million fee is said to have been agreed between the Scottish champions and Mechele’s employers Club Brugge, however, the 24-year-old decided to stay put.
“In 2015, I decided not to move to Celtic,” Mechele said, as quoted by the Daily Record.
“The reason I refused their offer was I wanted to win the championship with Brugge. Six months later I was on the bench and unwanted.
“It was my decision and it was the wrong one.”
Though Brugge did go on to be crowned Pro League champions last season, Mechele’s role was not as prominent as he would have liked – starting less than half of the Blue-Black’s fixtures.
And Mechele has found first-team opportunities even harder to come by this time around, leading to his departure to Sint-Truiden on loan in January.
Brandon Mechele in action against Leicester City in November
Following the centre-back’s snub, Celtic turned to Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Simunovic – both of whom have been mainstays for Brendan Rodgers’ side this calendar year – while another Bhoys regular, Erik Sviatchenko arrived in January 2016.
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