International defender: I had offer from Celtic, transfer was on cards
By Harry Sykes
Japan defender Hiroki Sakai has revealed he was offered a contract by Celtic and that a transfer to the club was on the cards last summer.
The right-back, 27, told France Football that he chose to join French big hitters Marseille 12 months ago ahead of Celtic and Ajax.
The Japanese defender explained how national team manager Vahid Halilhodzic was instrumental in his choice to move from Germany to France on a free transfer after his deal at Hannover had expired.
“I had three offers (Ajax, Celtic and Marseille),” Sakai explained to France Football’s print edition. “He told me OM was a good club, but it was hard to impose yourself there. Since that’s what I wanted, I chose to come here. I think he’s happy that I’m in France.”
Sakai is a 38-times Japan international who has emerged as a key player at Marseille after 102 appearances during his four years at Bundesliga outfit Hannover.
He has played 50 matches for the Ligue 1 side, 10 of which have come this season.
Celtic’s first-choice right-back is Mikael Lustig, who is backed up by 18-year-old rising star Anthony Ralston.
The teenager started on the right side of defence in last week’s Champions League thrashing at the hands of Paris-Saint Germain, with Lustig reshuffled to centre-back due to an injury crisis in that position.
In other Celtic news, Rangers have suffered a quadruple blow ahead of Saturday’s Old Firm showdown.
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