Ian Harte has admitted he hopes he can use his move to St Mirren to secure a switch to Celtic.
Defender hoping to impress at St Mirren
Ian Harte has admitted he hopes he can use his move to St Mirren to secure a switch to Celtic.
As revealed by
skysports.com, St Mirren signed Harte on a short-term deal until the end of the season after the full-back left Blackpool.
Harte, who came close to a move to Celtic three years ago, admits he is hoping to follow the example of fellow Irishman Willo Flood by using a short-term deal in the SPL to win a move to Parkhead.
"It's every Irish lad's dream to play for Celtic. As I'm from the Republic they were always one of the teams I followed. I'd always look for their results first on a Saturday," Harte told the
Daily Record.
"So, yes, it's always been a dream of mine to play for them.
"I did get close a couple of years ago. Gordon [Strachan] called and said he was interested in signing me. I think they had Mo Camara playing left-back at the time.
"I knew Gordon from Leeds because I was a young lad coming through the ranks when he was a player there. He asked me if I fancied it and, of course, I said yes.
"Levante had told me I could have a free transfer and everything looked to be falling into place but when they realised Celtic were in for me they suddenly demanded 2.5million euros and it collapsed.
Devastated
"I was devastated and looking back now I wish I had dug my heels in and been a lot more stubborn just to try to get a deal done.
"I don't know if that was my one and only chance of getting to Celtic but hopefully it's not too late.
"Joining St Mirren gives me a chance to put myself back on the radar. We'll see what happens from here.
"I've only just turned 31 so I don't feel as if I'm past it or anything like that. I've kept myself in good shape and just need a chance to show what I can do."
