The Hoops coveted the Norwegian starlet before he headed to the Netherlands late in the summer transfer window
Sondre Orjasaeter(Image: Getty Images)
Former Celtic transfer target Sondre Orjasaeter has lifted the lid on how a move to Parkhead failed to materialise last summer.
And the Norwegian youngster has revealed just why he decided to join FC Twente instead.
The Hoops were said to be long-term admirers of the winger and reportedly had offers thrown out before Sarpsborg opted to sell the player to Eredivisie side Twente for £5million late in the summer window.
Orjasester says interest from Glasgow’s East End was ‘serious’ but doesn’t believe his style of play would have been suited to Scottish football. He said: “It’s true that Celtic got serious. We still couldn’t reach an agreement. The fee Sarpsborg was asking for was a problem.
“But I also didn’t think it was the right move for me. Celtic are a huge club, with a great history, but I honestly don’t think I’m cut out for Scottish football. When Twente contacted me, it was immediately clear to me and my agent that it was a no-brainer of a decision to move there.
“It was a great opportunity for me and I didn’t hesitate. Twente are a good club, in a league full of technically gifted, attacking players.
“The Eredivisie is a fantastic platform for young footballers anyway. I just had a good feeling. And after just one day here, I knew this was the right choice for me.”
Meanwhile, Celtic keeper Viljami Sinisalo was rewarded for his patience after making his World Cup qualifying bow for Finland.
The ex Aston Villa stopper serves as understudy at both club and country level, with Kasper Schmeichel ahead of him in the pecking order at Parkhead and Monaco star Lukas Hradecky holding down the number one stop for Finland.
But with the latter injured, Sinisalo, 23, seized his chance to help his nation come from behind to defeat Lithuania 2-1 in Helsinki.
Viljami Sinisalo (Image: SNS Group)
And the Hoops’ keeper admits he is happy to wait for his opportunities whenever they arise. “I know my situation, I know the position of my club and I know what to expect in the future”, he stated.
“I also know that Lukas Hradecky is the captain of my country and will be back. He is, of course, a big loss. He has been a huge footballer for Finland for a long time and a big personality in the dressing room.
“As a young goalkeeper, you don’t have that much credit in the bank.
“So every time you get a chance, you have to show that you belong there, both for Celtic’s goal or Finland’s goal.”You always have to do that in every game.
“That’s what I’m trying to do and hopefully sooner or later things will go in a way that will see me reach my targets at Celtic and also here for the national team one day soon too.”