Paolo Di Canio has opened up on his move to Celtic, claiming a love of the game Subbuteo played a role in the transfer.
The Italian spent one season at Parkhead, netting 15 goals across 37 games in the 1996/97 campaign before departing for Sheffield Wednesday due to a dispute over wages and bonuses.
And the 55-year-old has detailed how the move came about.
He told the Up Front podcast: "Andrea Stramaccioni phoned me in Italy and said 'Paolo, you have another week there, I don't want you to fight every day because Celtic, they still want you’.
"I say I still have a one-year contract to go, it's the time to move...I say I go to Celtic because Tommy Burns for two years wanted me, and this person who wants me there, is desperate in some way, I'm curious. I want to go.
READ MORE: Will Celtic's Greg Taylor return to form after Livingston?
"I used to play Subbuteo when I was younger with this incredible shirt I had never seen before, the green and white, I say I will go.
"I didn't have one moment where I maybe thought - I went there in August and it was already cold - someone would say I should go back to Italy.
"But I said I want to be here, to stay here because with this weather I can fight better. I can play. It was the warmest welcome from the fans which made all the difference.
"If I had any doubt, that disappeared in an instant. Parkhead, the stadium, was amazing."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel