Coming through the ranks, Micah Richards was considered as someone who would go on to become one of the best centre-backs in the world. Ultimately, his career did not play out as expected. He spent a decade at Manchester City, time out on loan at Fiorentina and four underwhelming seasons with Aston Villa before retiring at the age of 31. Could he have ended up at Celtic at some point as well?
Of course, while Richards' career faded away, one cannot forget how highly rated he was at one time. He even became the youngest ever defender to play for England at the senior level, breaking a record previously held by Rio Ferdinand.
Richards is arguably enjoying more success off the pitch than he did on it. He is one of the most popular pundits in the game today and has truly captured the imagination of the supporters with his unique approach to things, which has changed the entire presentation of things, for better or worse.
As reported by 67 Hail Hail, while speaking on the Rest is Football Podcast, Gary Lineker asked his fellow pundits, which team ‘outside of the big five leagues’ would they have wanted to play for. Richards said:
"Outside of the top five leagues?
“I am going to Celtic.
“I would love to play for Celtic."
Micah Richards makes claim about wanting to play for Celtic
Celtic fans would love to hear that. But at the same time, it is hard to imagine at what point that move would have come about.
Richards was one of the top-rated centre-backs on the planet while coming through the ranks at Manchester City. So, clearly, he would not have joined Celtic at that point in his career.
And when he left Manchester City, it is believed that the club were actually interested in keeping him at the club, but he chose to join Aston Villa. He would retire at the end of that spell.