Olivier Giroud reveals he was very close to joining Celtic

Premier League star Olivier Giroud almost had a future with Celtic in Parkhead, per reports from the Scottish Sun. 

The French forward revealed with 100% Paillade in France that he entertained offers from Celtic FC in 2010 to join the Glasgow-side before signing with Ligue 1 side Montpellier.

In speaking with them, Giroud stated as transcribed by Get French Football News:

"“I did have contacts with Celtic where I would have experienced incredible atmospheres at Celtic Park.”"

He goes on to explain that signing with the Hoops could have earned him more money than the Ligue One squad, but that was never his ambition in football and he  had a phone call with the President Louis Nicollin, who convinced him not to sign for Scottish giants.

After two seasons in the French second-tier with Tours, Giroud signed with top-tier squad Montpeller in 2010. He lead the league in scoring there two seasons in a row with 33 goals over the two seasons.

Achieving much success with Montpellier, he then moved on to Premier League side Arsenal for an estimated £12 million, scoring 105 goals in all play for them over six seasons and hoisting three League Cup trophies.

Transferring across London to rival Chelsea in January 2018, he became the first player in club history to score more than 10 goals in European play in a season. Scoring 13 goals for them in the 2019 season, he saw much less playtime under Frank Lampard in the recently-abbreviated campaign.

Giroud has had much success over his career, hosting a World Cup in 2018 as well as three English League Cups, yet he may soon be pushed out by the rumored signing of German forward Timo Werner for Chelsea and youngster Tammy Abraham.

While some may view this missed signing as a whiffed opportunity, Hoops fans can take solace in their nine-straight Scottish League victories and five Scottish Cup victories during the decade since.