Gary Lineker’s response to Micah Richards saying he would have ‘loved’ to have played for Celtic

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Celtic might not have the backdrop of the English Premier League or any of the major leagues across Europe.

But one thing that will never go away or be diminished is the sheer size of Celtic and how the club’s famous name resonates across the world.

With 119 trophies to Celtic’s name, including European champions in 1967, they have a prestigious and rich history.

To put it simply, Celtic are Scotland’s greatest, biggest and most successful club, so you don’t blame many for wanting to play for them.

Now working as a pundit across the English game and in the Champions League, Micah Richards threw his name into the Celtic hat during an interesting discussion on the Rest Is Football Podcast.

Micah Richards picks Celtic as the club he would have ‘loved’ to have played for

The Scottish Premiership isn’t regarded as one of the top five leagues in Europe – the English Premier League, Spain’s top-tier, Serie A, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 in France are on that list.

That’s why Gary Lineker asked his fellow pundits a question – Alan Shearer and Richards – which team ‘outside of the big five leagues’ would you have wanted to play for.

Lineker dropped the name of Benfica and how he would have ‘loved’ to have played in Lisbon, whilst Shearer went across the pond to the MLS and named a great holiday destination in LA.

But Richards remained closer to home and shared how he would have ‘loved’ to have played for Celtic, with Lineker calling it a ‘good shout’.

“Outside of the top five leagues?” repeated Richards. “I am going to Celtic.”

Lineker responded in the background ‘Good shout’, before Richards added: “I would love to play for Celtic.”

Shearer then stated: “Cue the Rangers pile-on.” And Lineker then added “Quickly say Celtic or Rangers.”

A laughing Richards responded: “Celtic or Rangers. Any of them.”

Richards’ playing career in numbers

The 36-year-old started his career at Manchester City as a teenager, including making his England debut at 18 – becoming the youngest defender to do so.

There was a lot of hype and expectancy on Richards’ shoulders as a youngster, and whilst he still won big trophies, he didn’t live up to it.

His career ended at the age of 31, due to injury, after also playing for Fiorentina and Aston Villa.

You presume, if Richards ever had the chance to play for Celtic, then that door could and would have opened post-2014 when his Man City career was coming to an end and he moved to Italy, before joining Villa.