Timothy Castagne won't regret not signing for Celtic

By Connor Gordon

March 14, 2020

Former Celtic transfer target Timothy Castagne will be happy his Glasgow move didn’t work out.

The Belgium international has gone on to be an integral part in Serie A with Atalanta.

Castagne is also playing Champions League football with the Bergamo outfit.

But a recent injury is stinting his recent game time in the Italian top flight and in Europe.

Timothy Castagne has improved since failed Celtic move

The 24-year-old was a winter transfer target for old Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers last year.

Brendan Rodgers wanted Timothy Castagne at Celtic. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Irishman required much needed competition on the right of defence to challenge Mikael Lustig.

Rodgers eyed Castagne who was struggling to break into the Atalanta side but was a Belgian international.

The move didn’t come to fruition as the club rejected an £8m bid when the Italians aimed for £12m according to Castagne himself. [Daily Record]

Instead, The Bhoys looked to Borussia Dortmund outcast Jeremy Toljan who signed on a six month loan.

Jeremie Toljan now plays in Serie A with Timothy Castagne. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Castagne’s failed move seemed to be the shot in the arm his career required and he hasn’t looked back.

The right-back has played 14 league games this season with Atalanta who are fourth in Serie A.

Furthermore, Castagne has also appeared in five matches of his side’s impressive Champions League campaign.

They will be playing quarter final football after knocking out Valencia in the last 16 on Tuesday.

The Belgian international in Champions League action this season. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Unfortunately, Castagne didn’t feature in that historic victory due to a lengthy injury picked up in January.

Castagne has been on the bench in three of his last four games – playing one match against Fiorentina.

He has done so well in getting into the Atalanta side, so it’s only a matter of time before he is playing regularly again.

The failed Celtic move can go down as another player who got away.

However, the fans can’t begrudge the backroom staff with the likes of Jeremie Frimpong and Hatem Abd Elhamed waiting in the wings.