Brendan Rodgers’s Celtic reportedly wanted to sign Rivaldo Coetzee in the summer transfer window.
As reported by The Daily Record, Celtic were interested in signing Coetzee from Ajax Cape Town in the summer transfer window before his move to Mamelodi Sundowns.
The 21-year-old defender failed a medical at the Glasgow giants due to an issue with a bone in his foot, as stated in the report.
The youngster, though, has yet to make a competitive appearance for Mamelodi Sundowns due to an operation.
Coetzee has revealed the discussions he had with Celtic manager Rodgers in the summer transfer window.
The talented and promising young defender has also suggested that he wants to play in the future.
Coetzee told The Daily Record: “Obviously, I was disappointed. I was imagining myself playing the Champions League and I even spoke to the manager, Brendan Rodgers, about joining them.
“He made me feel that he wanted me in – the way he spoke to me, he made it clear that I was in his plans.
“We spoke on the phone while I was doing my medical. He said I was his kind of a player, one that can play out from the back and is comfortable on the ball. And I can also defend as well.”
“I want to go to Europe as soon as possible,” added Coetzee. “If I come back from injury and play for six months or a year, then I would like to go. I don’t want to suggest a time-frame because everything happens in its own time.
“If you talk about a time-frame and nothing happens, then you will be disappointed. I will just give it time and see what happens.”
Rodgers seems to rate Coetzee highly, and perhaps in the January transfer window or next summer, Celtic will revive their interest in the South Africa international.
Celtic are going strong in the Scottish Premiership at the moment and look set to win the league title yet again.
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