Agent Stav Hakmon has spoken publicly about Celtic’s failed move for Jocelin Ta-Bi, offering his version of how the transfer collapsed late in the process.
The winger was reportedly close to joining the Hoops before instead completing a move to Sunderland.
Celtic had identified Ta-Bi as a short-term solution during a difficult window, with the club seeking depth and cover at right-wing. The move appeared to progress quickly, with medical checks arranged and travel plans put in place.
However, concerns around timing, communication, and medical clarity ultimately saw the transfer stall. What followed was a rapid change of direction that surprised many, given how advanced the situation had seemed.
Hakmon has now outlined his view of events in comments reported, describing a situation that became increasingly uncertain before Sunderland stepped in.
Hakmon said: (RecordSport), “We had offers from teams in the Champions League and five clubs in the MLS, but we turned them down. We waited for the right offer. He underwent tests in Israel and we were asked to come to London to see one of the world’s leading foot specialists.
“We felt that something was amiss. It wasn’t a matter of playing games because the deal was done. They didn’t tell us that the tests were abnormal, they said that, after the results, we would sit down and decide whether it was appropriate for him to sit out at the beginning.
“I had a call from Sunderland’s technical director a few days earlier. I thanked him very much for his interest, but I don’t do things like that. It’s a moral issue although legally I didn’t have to do it. I thought they would back off, but later we got another call from the owner of Sunderland. He asked why we weren’t doing the deal. It didn’t seem like Celtic were pushing for it, and he told us to think about it again.
“I paid the hotel bill so that Celtic wouldn’t say they had paid for us and we took the train to Sunderland. We sent an official letter to Celtic and Maccabi Netanya saying that the player would not be coming due to foot-dragging.
“Jocelin received messages from Celtic fans saying that he was a Zionist and they didn’t want him there, and that the owner of Netanya invests in all kinds of security companies.
“Celtic called us numerous times, but until it was completely signed with Sunderland, we didn’t get back to them.
“Did they do it on purpose because it’s Israel? I don’t want to say that categorically, but that’s how it looks. He has an ankle problem that everyone knows about.
“They wanted him to come in for an examination, but I didn’t see anything unusual on the doctor’s face. Maybe he’ll need surgery at some point. The doctor said that if he has surgery, it will take two to three months to recover.”
The comments show how fragile late deals can be when timing slips and trust starts to fade. From Celtic’s side, being careful about fitness and readiness is familiar and understandable, especially in a window already full of risk.
It is also clear that talks became harder once progress slowed. At that stage, even short delays can give other clubs the chance to move first.
Celtic chose not to push the deal once doubts appeared. That approach may annoy some supporters, but it also shows a club unwilling to proceed without full belief.
What remains is the feeling of a move that came close, then fell apart. It underlines how important quick decisions are in modern recruitment, especially when rivals are ready to act.
Celtic now turn to other options, taking lessons from this moment. Time is short, patience is thin, and hesitation can alter everything.
Another sign that the Celtic Board is not fit for purpose. An infiltrated element of Communist agitators amongst the Celtic fans crying foul because Jocelyn Ta Bi played for an Israeli club, and the Board backs away from a deal with the player. We need stronger leaders on the Board, not wimps who buckle before the antisemitic rhetoric of the Red Brigade. The same agitators cost the team Liel Abada.