Dwight Yorke admits major Celtic transfer regret 22 years after rejecting Martin O’Neill
Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has admitted he regrets turning down a move to Celtic in 2004, revealing he had effectively agreed a deal with Martin O’Neill before joining Birmingham City instead.
The former Trinidad and Tobago international came close to moving to Parkhead on transfer deadline day in the summer of 2004, shortly after Henrik Larsson’s departure left Celtic searching for attacking reinforcements.
O’Neill was keen to bring the then 32-year-old to Glasgow, but Yorke ultimately opted to remain in the Premier League with Birmingham City, where he struggled for regular playing time under Steve Bruce before moving to Australia.
Speaking to former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell on the Legend’s Corner Podcast, Yorke revealed just how close he came to becoming a Celtic player.
He said: “You know, I went up to Celtic. I got a call from Martin O’Neill, and I never left the Premier League, and I’m like, ‘Celtic, great.’ Cause we had a blinder against Celtic. Really good.
“I got up there, and literally the deal was done with Martin O’Neill, and then I got a call from Birmingham City with Steve Bruce. I lived in Birmingham for ten years. It’s an easy sell. They’re in the Premier League, never left the Premier League.
“I got a chance to stay in the Premier League, going back to a city that I know. But on the other side, [it was] a bit like you (Sol Campbell) leaving to go to Arsenal. So that didn’t resonate well. Again, got there with Brucey.”
Reflecting on whether he made the right decision, Yorke admitted his choice to reject Celtic was ultimately a mistake.
He continued: “No. I think if I were to be honest, that is not a good choice I made. I was torn in between. I’m staying in the Premier League.
“I know Celtic is huge club, of course, but I was going back to Birmingham. My son was living in Birmingham, so everything just kind of resonated there, and it was an easy transition for me. Everything seemed to slide in but that was a bad call, a bad five months.”
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