Long before French Eddie and Brendan Rodgers, we almost had another Irishman managing a player coming over from France.
Who, you ask?
Charles Edouard Coridon.
Who? You may ask again.
At the start of the 2004 Celtic campaign – Martin O’Neill was in need of midfield reinforcements, someone to help light up the midfield and supply Celtic’s new striker Henri Camara after Henrik Larsson had left the club the season prior.
On a cold, wet and windy night at Celtic Park, Charles Edouard Corridon flew over from France where he had been playing for PSG to play in a friendly for Celtic in the hopes of winning a move.
The friendly was against Spurs and Edouard Corridon took his place on the field for the full ninety minutes.
The full team that night: Marshall (McGovern 75), Balde, Laursen, McManus (Cuthbert 75), Corridon, Sylla, Thompson (McGeady 75), Pearson, Camara, Wallace, Beattie.
Substitutes: McNamara, Valgaeren, Sutton, Lennon
The player showed some decent range and stood out in the Celtic team, standing at 6ft 2″ with a large head of hair.
Celtic ran out 2-0 winners on that stormy night at Celtic Park with goals from Camara and Beattie. After the game, Edouard was hopeful of a deal. Speaking at the time the midfielder said:
“I’ve enjoyed my time with Celtic and I want to thank the manager and the players.
“If Celtic decide not to take me then I have the opportunity to play in the English Premier League, but my first priority is to play for Celtic.”
Martin O’Neill opted not to sign the Frenchman after seeing him in action, a move to the Premier League didn’t materialise either. A move to PSG from Lens was on the cards and in that season’s Champions League, he scored a cracker for the French outfit.
