Colin Kazim-Richards has revealed he had interest from Brazil before Celtic arrived on the scene and was keen to move to the South American country, but he could not refuse the Scottish champions. He also insists that Brendan Rodgers did not push him out of the door in Glasgow.

Celtic hoovered up the forward from Dutch side Feyenoord in the winter transfer window earlier this year, the former Fenerbahce man putting pen to paper on an 18-month deal.




He struggled to make his mark in Scotland however and when Rodgers took over as manager in the summer was quickly out of the door, joining Brazilian side Coritiba.

It was the move he had been intending to make for some time, but interest from Celtic, when it came, could not be ignored.
 


"Before I went to Celtic there was interest [from Brazil], but it didn't materialise", Kazim-Richards explained in this month's Four Four Two magazine.

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"Then Celtic came up and you can't really turn them down."

Kazim-Richards also insisted that new Celtic boss Rodgers did not push him out of the Parkhead door and his departure was just a case of following his heart's desire.

"I've seen some people suggest that Brendan Rodgers said he didn't want me, but it wasn't like that.

"My heart was set on coming here and that's no disrespect to Celtic at all because I support them.

"In the end I had quite a few options in Brazil, and Coritiba called Alex [who I played with at Fenerbahce] to get a reference on me.

"He doesn't mince his words. That's why a lot of people like him and why we get along."

Kazim-Richards, who has won 37 caps at international level for Turkey, signed off on his short spell at Celtic with 13 appearances in all competitions and two goals to his name.

He also helped the Bhoys to seal the Scottish Premiership title.