The January transfer window is upon us.
Celtic made a trio of signings just before the window opened, quelling a lot of speculation and debate before the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve.
However, we’re still not impervious to the odd crazy headline or two.
If, like me, you’ve followed the Hoops for many years, you will no doubt have a few crazy stories about players being linked with the club.
Heck, I’m old enough to remember Ronaldinho to St Mirren stories and Rangers looking to sign the original Ronaldo. Scottish football have some belters!
The internet and social media in-particular can have a profound affect on a rumour almost becoming fact before it gets debunked.
One of the biggest, craziest and silliest rumours I’ve ever lived through is a story I was reminded of this week. Kris Boyd to Celtic anyone?
Yes, you read that correctly.
In 2010 Celtic were linked to a sensational move for Kris Boyd, who was still with the Ibrox club but looking to move.
There were front-page headlines at the time about Boyd potentially crossing the divide and pull in on the Hoops.
It’s scarce for Celtic to get involved in any rumours generated by the press. The club tends to leave the press to their own devices.
On this occasion, with the ferocity and backlash the story was receiving from Celtic supporters club were forced to put out a statement.
As quoted by the Scotsman at the time, Celtic didn’t leave room for any ambiguity.
“Welcome to the silly season. We can categorically state that Kris Boyd has never been a target for Celtic and at no time have we ever attempted to sign him. We will not, repeat NOT (sic), be making a bid for the player.” – Celtic spokesperson.
That’s pretty emphatic.
This wasn’t the last time the media tried to put Boyd and Celtic together but it was never anything other than media tripe.
Kris Boyd didn’t do much outside Rangers when he left to go to Middlesbrough the same summer as the Celtic rumour emerged.
Boyd did sign up with former Celtic gaffer Gordon Strachan in England.
We now have Boyd in the media, a constant stuttering cheerleader for the Ibrox club. Not hiding how much he dislikes Celtic. Maybe he’s raging about Celtic’s emphatic dismissal of him potentially signing. Then again, maybe he’s just a bit of a simpleton.
