No go: Danny Shittu has reportedly rejected the chance to join Celtic on trial, following his release from Bolton. Pic: ©SNS Group
Danny Shittu has reportedly turned down the offer of a trial at Celtic, after Neil Lennon invited the Nigerian defender to Lennoxtown to prove his fitness. The former Bolton Wanderers player, available on a free transfer, is said to view going on trial as unnecessary, given his experience.
Shittu, who has 28 caps for his country, has played in England since 1999 and had spells with Charlton Athletic, Blackpool, Queens Park Rangers, Watford and latterly Bolton, where he managed just 12 appearances in a two-year spell.
Having featured so infrequently at club level, Celtic are believed to have asked the 30-year-old to spend time training with them before talking terms, which would potentially see him come in as one of the club's highest paid players.
A number of clubs are believed to be interested in signing the central defender, who is free to move to any team having been released by Bolton before the end of the transfer window.
Dubai-based club Al-Ahli, where former Aston Villa boss David O’Leary and Roy Aitken are currently in charge, are amongst the interested parties, as well as Championship club Leicester City.
Celtic boss Lennon was keen to add cover in central defence during the summer window and failed in a deadline day bid to land his long-term target, Nottingham Forest stopper Kelvin Wilson.
Moves for Sol Campbell and Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor also fell through, with only Swedish defender Daniel Majstorovic added, providing competition for Glenn Loovens, Jos Hooiveld and Thomas Rogne.
Stephen McManus was allowed to leave for Middlesbrough on a permanent basis, with Darren O’Dea and Josh Thompson going out on loan to Ipswich Town and Rochdale respectively.
CELTIC CHASE DEFENSIVE COVER
