Celtic fans have been blessed to have watched some outstanding goalkeepers represent the club over the years.
From the legendary Packie Bonner to a recent Celtic hero in Joe Hart, they all had one thing in common, and that was being successful in Glasgow and lifting trophies.
But during the time Bonner was wearing the famous green and white colours, he could have been challenged for a number one spot by a certain Brad Friedel.
The USMNT legend spent long periods making a name for himself in the English Premier League, including playing under Martin O’Neill at Aston Villa, but he recently revealed that he could have also joined Celtic when he was donning the gloves.
- READ MORE: United States legend Brad Friedel thinks he knows exactly why Wilfried Nancy failed at Celtic
Tell me who the best Celtic goalkeeper of the 21st century is
Brad Friedel shares a brilliant story about how he nearly signed for Celtic
Friedel was working as a pundit for talkSPORT, who are covering this summer’s World Cup from New York, and attention turned to Celtic.
The 55-year-old, who also played in Turkey during his career, shared that he received a contract offer from not only Celtic but also Rangers.
Although the former Liverpool and Aston Villa man didn’t provide a precise timeline, his comments strongly suggest he is talking about the early-to-mid 90s.
That’s because he mentioned that Bonner was the number one; he would leave Celtic in 1997, and he also mentioned taking a photo alongside Shay Given, who was on the club’s books as a youngster.
Jim White: “Did you have the chance to play for either Celtic or Rangers?”
Friedel: “Yeah. I got contract offers from Celtic and Rangers.”
White: “What? Really?”
Friedel: “Yeah, way back in the day. There is a picture of me when I went to train there. Shay Given is in it. When he was young. Big Joe Corrigan was the goalkeeping coach. Packie Bonner was the number one. Gordon Marshall. We were all in a photo together when I was up at Celtic.
“I opted to sign a contract for Nottingham Forest or Newcastle; I can’t remember which of the order it was.
“Before I went to Liverpool, Walter Smith offered me a contract at Rangers, but I chose Liverpool.”
Friedel’s playing career
A career that spanned two decades, Friedel was a high-quality goalkeeper during his playing days, representing some of England’s biggest football clubs.
The American played a staggering 450 games in the Premier League, as well as 82 times for the national side.
Make no bones about it, had Friedel played for Celtic, he would have fitted right in.
- Galatasaray: 37 games
- Columbus Crew: 45 games
- Liverpool: 31 games
- Blackburn Rovers: 357 games
- Aston Villa: 131 games
- Tottenham Hotspur: 67 games
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