Former Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko has opened up on why he was bombed out of the Hoops squad by Brendan Rodgers during the Invincible Treble season of 2016-17.

The Danish centre-back was a regular fixture in the backline during the first part of the campaign before being dropped for Dedryck Boyata.

And now the 31-year-old has revealed he had the opportunity to move to Leicester City during that season's January transfer window.

Sviatchenko would eventually leave the Hoops in 2018 for Midtjylland but claims the Premier League side were ready to spend upwards of £3million pounds on him in early 2017 before the move fell through due to the Parkhead side wanting more money.

Speaking to Danish outlet 'Offside', he said: "We had an extremely good relationship with each other, but from one to the other I also felt... I had played every game in the Champions League and had started in every game, and then we go on winter break.

"There was a lot of talk with Leicester about a possible transfer, because I had done really well in Scottish football.

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"Leicester were ready to pay a three million sum for me at the time, but the move fell through when Celtic demanded more money.

"Then we come back from the break after a week and we go to training camp.

"I'm suspended for the first game after a yellow card and without explanation I just don't play anymore. Then he plays Dedryck Boyata, who is also a fantastically skilled player.

"He hadn't seen much playing time for nine months, but suddenly I wasn't playing. I didn't play the second match either, and I didn't play the third match either."

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