Did Celtic miss a trick not beating Stoke to Darren Fletcher signing?

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Should Celtic have tried to beat Stoke City to signing Darren Fletcher from West Brom?

West Bromwich Albion’s Darren Fletcher

Darren Fletcher has ended a two-and-a-half year stay at West Bromwich Albion by signing for Stoke City on a two-year contract.

Yet should Celtic have brought the Scotland captain back to his home country for the final years of his career? After all, the 33-year-old was available on a free transfer.

West Bromwich Albion’s Darren Fletcher scores their first goal

Fletcher used to play for Celtic Boys Club before he signed for Manchester United on his 16th birthday and joined their famous youth system.

In fact the Scot grew up as a Bhoys fan and almost joined the club as a youngster, before Rangers convinced him otherwise and then the Red Devils pipped both to the midfielder’s signature.

West Bromwich Albion’s Darren Fletcher in action with Manchester United’s Paul Pogba

“I grew up going to Celtic with my uncle who had a box at Celtic Park,” Fletcher told Sky Sports.

“He bought me a season ticket one year and I went along for two or three seasons.

“I had the opportunity to join Celtic but Rangers had a good youth set-up and track record of bringing through players, so I thought that was the best place to be.”

West Brom’s Darren Fletcher and James Chester watch the action

There would have been something quite fitting about Fletcher’s career coming full circle and him signing for the reigning Scottish Premiership champions.

Not quite the midfield enforcer from his days at Old Trafford anymore – when he won five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup and the Champions League – the veteran’s experience would still have been invaluable.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers

Having won a domestic treble Brendan Rodgers has already accomplished everything he can as manager in Scottish domestic football, but Europe is the next frontier; somewhere the club have struggled for a number of years.

Could Fletcher, with his 66 Champions League appearances and positive influence and professional attitude around the training ground, have helped Rodgers take that next step with the Bhoys?