Zero starts, overshadowed by 36-year-old; Feyenoord’s Michiel Kramer may regret Celtic snub

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The striker chose Feyenoord over Celtic but his move has turned into a nightmare.

ADO Den Haag’s talismanic targetman Michiel Kramer insisted had ‘no doubt’ that he was making the right decision snubbing Celtic for Feyenoord in the summer of 2015, Omroep West reports.

The Scottish giants had sent scouts to watch the striker in action and, after a lucrative switch to UAE outfit Baniyas fell through, it appeared as if Celtic had been given a huge boost in their pursuit.

And you could see why Ronny Deila’s side were so keen. Kramer had just enjoyed the most prolific season of his career, netting 17 Eredivisie goals for a distinctly average ADO Den Haag side while displaying a classy touch and technical ability belying his 6ft 5ins frame. Think a more dynamic Peter Crouch with the odd wondergoal in his locker.

Yet, according to Omroep West, Kramer had refused to give any thought towards swapping his native Holland for the Scottish Premiership. At least once Feyenoord, the relative poor relations in the Dutch ‘big three’ of PSV and Ajax, came calling.

However, while the Rotterdam giants are edging ever closer to a first league title since 1999, Kramer’s second season at De Kuip means the champagne won’t taste particularly sweet come May.

Despite netting 14 times in his debut season, something was off with Kramer. He was missing chances left right and centre while Feyenoord struggled to play to his strengths. Yet, while the club persisted with their marquee signing, manager Giovanni Van Bronkhorst obviously decided that the 28-year-old is little more than a lost cause the following campaign.

He has not started a single league game all season, making just 12 substitute appearances and, according to Voetbal International, was suspended by the club last month after refusing to train – not the first time he has been at the centre of a disciplinary storm.

Meanwhile, the prolific Nicolai Jorgensen has usurped him in the starting XI with even the 36-year-old Dirk Kuyt still a key player in the attack.

While it’s impossible to know that things would have worked out differently had he chosen Celtic, it’s fair to say few at Parkhead will be losing any sleepless nights about ‘the one that got away’.