The former Manchester United favourite is winding down his career without having sampled life in the green and white of his beloved Celtic.
After lifting four Premier League titles, a FA Cup and a Champions League trophy, you cannot imagine Darren Fletcher harbours too many regrets when casting his mind back over a silver-coated career.
Formerly Manchester United’s go-to utility man, the Scotland captain is just as energetic and tenacious now, at the heart of West Bromwich Albion’s midfield, at the ripe old age of 33.
However, everything could have been different had he decided to follow his heart rather than his head in the formative years of his footballing career.
“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.
“At Celtic that wasn’t happening.”
Eventually, Manchester United stepped in and prevented Fletcher from choosing Rangers over his boyhood club and presumably irritating his uncle no end. Therefore, it is clear that, if the veteran midfielder was to finally tick a home game at Parkhead off his bucket list, he would not be doing it for sentimental reasons.
Fortunately, Celtic are an uber-ambitious outfit these days under Brendan Rodgers, cruising to the title and aiming to progress further in the Champions League throughout the next few seasons. Therefore, Fletcher to Celtic could benefit all parties.
He played in 66 European games for Manchester United, from gripping semi-finals to group stage deciders. Fletcher could be the experienced figurehead Celtic need to reach the round of 16 for the first time since 2012.
Furthermore, although West Brom triggered a contract extension to keep him at The Hawthorns until 2018, the lung-busting midfielder is enjoying one of the most consistent seasons of his career. Despite his advancing years, he is yet to succumb to the signs of ageing.
Therefore, Parkhead would be no nostalgic retirement home, more a chance for Fletcher to write an overdue chapter in the history of his boyhood club.
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