Derby County goalkeeper David Marshall has told the Scottish Sun that he wasn’t close to re-joining Celtic in the summer despite claims he wanted to join the Bhoys.
The Scotland international was in superb form for Wigan Athletic last season.
A 12-point deduction, however, prompted in relegation for Wigan on the final day of the season which sparked a summer exodus including manager Paul Cook.
Marshall was always expected to leave, and the boyhood Celtic fan told the Scottish Sun in early August how a return to Celtic Park would be a massive thing for him.
The 35-year-old shot-stopper, however, signed for Derby just under three weeks later.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Scotland’s upcoming Euro2021 qualifier against Serbia, Marshall admits he was never close to re-joining his former club.
I spoke to Terry Gennoe not that long ago, he only stays about an hour from me in Derby. I think it was Terry who brought Woodsy [Stevie Woods] into Celtic and I have always got on great with him. A return to Celtic was never close. I joined Derby, signed for a couple of years and I am really delighted with that.
Celtic instead bolstered their goalkeeper ranks with £4.5 million addition Vasilis Barkas.
Marshall, meanwhile, has been a regular at Derby ahead of Kelle Roos. The Scot has undoubtedly been one of the Rams’ better players so far this season.
Derby will feel they struck a bargain with Marshall and his ex-Wigan teammate Nathan Byrne.
Phillip Cocu’s side, however, have struggled as they currently sit bottom of the Championship.
The latest defeat at home to Barnsley was their seventh in 11 games. It’s not the start Marshall would have envisioned, and it may end up costing Cocu his job.
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