Scotland international Johnny Russell has admitted that he still hopes to play for boyhood club Celtic before he hangs up his boots, while speaking to the Glasgow Times.
He may be the wrong side of 30 these days but, even as he approaches the autumn of his career, the experienced attacker is not giving up on a lifelong dream just yet.
Russell narrowly missed out on the chance to pull on those iconic green and white Hoops all the way back in 2013, when Dundee United sold him to Derby County instead in a deal worth around £750,000 (Daily Record).
The former Pride Park favourite is now going about his business on the other side of the Atlantic but, with his Sporting Kansas City contract expiring later this year, Russell is still hoping to catch the eye of a certain Glasgow giant.
“I’ve always said that the dream was to play for Celtic but it’s never happened,” said the 14-capped international, who has produced 24 goals and 17 assists in 76 MLS matches.
“That’s football. The season I went to Derby, there were a few bids made but Derby offered more and Celtic’s bids were never accepted.
“If they had been matched, I would’ve went to Celtic, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.
“Of course, nobody is going to turn down the opportunity to play for their heroes. It was always something I’d never give up hope on.
“You never know.”
Unfortunately for Russell, Celtic’s transfer policy largely revolves around signing promising youngsters on the cheap before selling them on for a profit.
Only one of Celtic’s last 17 signings, since the start of the 2019/20 season, has been over the age of 30 – folk hero goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
And even that was a short-term loan deal.
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