Defender Who Failed Celtic Medical Closing in on Unlikely Debut

When Celtic needed a defender at the start of last season, their number one choice was a man called Rivaldo Coetzee.

The player was reported to be on the brink of signing with a fee and wages agreed between all parties.

All that was left to do was a medical and he would be unveiled as a Celtic player – but the South African never signed.

A scan showed a major problem with the player’s foot and the deal was dead in the water.

Just days after that deal fell through the defender made a move from Ajax Capetown to Sundowns in the final day of the transfer window.

Celtic were proven right and made a lucky escape when it was revealed the player was injured and after a full season, the player hadn’t played one game for his side.

Fast forward to April this year and his coach was even talking about the 21-year-old retiring because he simply couldn’t get fit for any length of time.

As he heads into 18-months into his new club deal, Rivaldo still hasn’t played BUT the South African defender looks like he may be getting over the worst of his injury and talk of retirement looks to have been premature.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has confirmed he expects the player to be back very soon and it’s now a hamstring problem which is holding Rivaldo back.

“I really thought that Rivaldo would be back by now, but the hamstring really set him back again,” Mosimane said to Kickoff.com

“But we have more time, so hopefully [he makes a return]. His time is coming, he was so excited because we are excited to see him and his quality.”

Celtic didn’t sign any defender’s that particular window but in the January they procured Marvin Compper and Jack Hendry – both players proved not to be effective so fae with Compper being a disastrous signing.