Hertha Berlin goalkeeper Rune Jarstein claims a 2015 move to Celtic collapsed.
Hertha Berlin goalkeeper Rune Jarstein has been quoted by the Daily Record as saying that he almost signed for Celtic in 2015, but was convinced to stay in Germany at the last minute.
Jarstein, 32, impressed in his native Norway with Odd Grenland, Rosenborg and Viking, earning himself a move to Germany with Hertha in January 2014.
Hertha Berlin goalkeeper Rune Jarstein
The Norwegian international, who has 44 caps for his country, was a bit-part player in his first 18 months in Berlin, as he played just twice for the Bundesliga side.
Sitting behind Thomas Kraft and Sascha Burchert, Jarstein was Hertha’s third-choice goalkeeper, and looked to have little future in the German capital at the end of the 2014-15 season.
However, Jarstein established himself as Hertha’s first-choice goalkeeper last season, and has kept his place this term having become a key first-team player for Pal Dardai’s side.
Hertha Berlin goalkeeper Rune Jarstein
Now, the veteran goalkeeper has commented on his turn in fortunes, and revealed that he almost made a move to Scotland in the summer of 2015, as he almost signed for Celtic.
Jarstein, as quoted by the Daily Record, stated that he agreed to join Celtic and was all set to sign for them, but Dardai appointed a new goalkeeping coach in Zsolt Petry, who convinced him to stay.
Rune Jarstein in action for Norway
“Last year I agreed to sign for Celtic,” said Jarstein. “I was all set to sign for them until Zsolt said he wanted to keep me. If it wasn’t for him I’d be in Scotland now. But I’m so happy here and I’ve never looked back,” he added.
Celtic’s manager at the time was Norwegian Ronny Deila, and he’ll have been familiar with Jarstein, making him a smart target as competition for Craig Gordon. Celtic then landed Logan Bailly that summer, but after seeing his fortunes change at Hertha, Jarstein won’t regret his decision to reject the Bhoys.
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