Celtic icon Paul Elliott admits he chose the Bhoys over two-time former European Cup winners

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Paul Elliott was an iconic defender who joined Celtic at the completely wrong time.

When the big Englishman joined the Bhoys in 1989, Celtic were going through financial troubles and problems with the Parkhead board.

Joining Celtic after the famous centenary double-winning season, Elliott must have thought his career would kick on to the next level.

And here, the iconic defender shares how he opted to sign for the Hoops even though he had heard a two-time European Cup-winning club wanted him.

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Paul Elliott says he picked Celtic despite hearing Nottingham Forest rumours

Elliott also says Rangers wanted him after a frank discussion with Chris Sutton about his time at Celtic.

And now, the iconic defender shares how he still chose the Hoops despite hearing about Brian Clough’s interest at Nottingham Forest.

Elliott told The Warm Up [10m 18s], “To be honest with you, that’s a really good question because at that point I was thinking, because I was told allegedly Brian Clough wanted to sign me at Nottingham Forest.

“West Ham had come in for me and also QPR, but the fact is I’d already gone from Charlton to Luton in the First Division and then from Luton to Aston Villa.

“So I’m thinking why go back? I was only 25 at the time, so there’s another move, there’s another challenge, and that challenge was Celtic.”

Paul Elliott’s unfortunate time at Celtic

Elliott was at Celtic for two seasons before he left Parkhead for Chelsea in 1991. Unfortunately, the big defender suffered a career-ending injury at the London club and had to retire in 1994.

However, his time at Celtic was not befitting of a player of Elliott’s ability.

In his first season at the club, Celtic finished fifth in the table and trophyless and Aberdeen defeated the Bhoys in the Scottish Cup final on penalties and in the League Cup semi-final after a 1-0 Hampden defeat.

The following season was not much better with a third-placed finish, defeat by Motherwell in the Scottish Cup semi-final and losing to Rangers in the League Cup final.

What a player Elliott was. It’s just a pity Celtic didn’t live up to his expectations and delivered the success Elliott’s talent deserved.