Former Celtic Invincible hero, Emilio Izaguirre, has revealed how he was wanted by both Liverpool and Manchester United when he was at the top of his game at the club.
Izaguirre took Scottish football by storm when he was signed by Neil Lennon back in 2010. Winning the Scottish Player of the Year, Scottish Football Writers Player of the Year and Celtic’s Player of the Year in his debut season, Izaguirre went on to win six league titles, three Scottish Cups and two league cups before leaving as an Invincible Celt in 2017.
He then returned to Celtic again in 2019 after Neil Lennon took him back for the push for the Treble Treble where the 110-capped Honduran international made 19 appearances for the club. [Transfermarkt]
But it was during his first stint at Celtic that Izaguirre revealed that an agreement had been made to join an English club but a broken ankle put paid to that move. He also told how both Liverpool and Manchester United asked Celtic about him after the 2010/11 season.
Izaguirre said [La Prensa], “Both Manchester United and Liverpool asked about me, I was the best full-back in the Scottish league with around 20 assists.
“A lot of offers came from teams. Even my people told me at the beginning of the season not to play because I was already arranged with an English team.
“But I broke my ankle and Celtic were great with me. They renewed my contract and then I was so grateful to Celtic I never wanted to leave the club.”
Izaguirre was an outstanding find by Neil Lennon back in 2010. Despite his vast experience at international level, no one has really heard of him back then.
But by the end of his first season, he was the name on everyone’s lips. Unfortunately for the Honduran, he was never really the same player after his ankle break and despite having a very successful career at Celtic, he never did get to make that big move.
However, Izaguirre is enjoying life as a Sporting Director for Honduran side, Motagua, and also seems to be at hand to recommend players he thinks could do a job for Celtic.
Izaguirre was one of the best full-backs in Celtic’s recent history and will always be remembered fondly by the Hoops support for all the success he helped deliver to the club.
In other news, ‘Very difficult’: Andy Walker thinks £2m Celtic player needs to start scoring off the bench