Celtic are an attractive club, and it takes a lot to turn down a transfer to them or fierce rivals Rangers.
That’s according to former Celtic goalkeeper Stanislav Varga, who believes they and Rangers remain attractive destinations for players.
Varga has been speaking to Hospodárske noviny about his former club as they get set to kick off their Champions League campaign against Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday.
The Scottish champions are back in the competition once again after another title winning season in Scotland last season.
They will not be joined by Rangers, with Philippe Clement’s side missing out on qualifying this season after defeat to Dynamo Kiev in the third qualifying round of the competition.
That was a disappointing loss, to say the least, for Rangers, and led to questions about Scottish football’s status in the world game once again.
Most now see Celtic and Rangers as clubs for players to either establish themselves in Europe before moving on, something which has been hinted at by agents in recent years, or where older players wind down their careers.
It is not seen as the destination that it once was, despite both clubs challenging for the title and being able to offer European football regularly.
Varga is having none of that, though. He competed in the Champions League with Celtic and was a part of sides that famously drew with the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and AC Milan.
And he feels his former club, and Rangers, remain difficult to turn down if you’re a player in the modern game.
“It’s hard to say, but I don’t think Celtic is an unattractive club, quite the opposite,” he said.
“Either they or Rangers will win the championship 99% time and will certainly present themselves in the European Cup.
“Sure, it’s these two teams that add quality to the Scottish league, but it takes a serious reason to turn down one of these giants. Especially when we consider that Celtic also plays home league matches in front of a full stadium.
“And here I see quite a big difference compared to Slovan. Because, yes, the preliminary rounds of the Champions League were sold out, but the stadium is often half-empty for Slovan’s league matches.
“There is no danger of that in Celtic matches. And every footballer loves to play in front of a full crowd.”
