It was a move that captured the imagination of Celtic supporters – the signing of Brazilian attacker, Juninho ahead of the 2004/05 season.
The player, who had enjoyed two spells at Middlesbrough as well as time with Atletico Madrid, had been part of Brazil’s triumphant 2002 World Cup-winning side and his arrival sparked excitement that he would be able to bring added flair and skill to Martin O’Neill’s Celtic side.
He made his Hoops debut in the 1-0 win over Rangers at the end of August 2004, but it would be a frustrating season for the player. He made 21 appearances in total for Celtic – 13 starts and eight as substitute, while his only goal came in a 3-0 home win over Hearts in October.
Juninho’s last appearance for Celtic came at the end of February 2005, in a 5-0 Scottish Cup win away to Clyde, and he left the club at the end of the season, returning home to Brazil to play for Palmeiras.
Back on September 1, 2004, however, and settling into life at Paradise, the Celtic View sat down with the Brazilian attacker for his first exclusive interview…
On Teesside, he was known simply, and affectionately, as ‘the little fella.’ Now it’s in the green-and-white of Celtic that Oswaldo Giroldi Junior, Juninho, will once set about proving that what, at 5ft 5ins, he lacks in height, will be more than made up for in skill, vision and courage.
Speaking exclusively to the View, the 31-year-old World Cup winner said: “I used to play a lot in the street when I was back in Brazil and, even after I turned professional, I loved football so much that I would play with friends while I was on holiday.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Vol 55 Issue 15 من Celtic View.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Vol 55 Issue 15 من Celtic View.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED...
Jodie Bartle was delighted to score her first goal for Celtic, a week after her derby strike was controversially disallowed
TOMMY BHOY
Celtic legend was a supporter first, last and always
WOUNDED PRIDE
Christopher Jullien was a frustrated spectator as he recovered from injury, but now that he’s back, he’s determined to play his part along with his team-mates to get back to winning ways
ON THIS DAY
HISTORY OF PLAYERS
KEEP THE FAITH
Manager knows hard work can and will deliver an upturn in fortunes for his Celtic side
THE LAST WORD
NEXT week the Christmas edition of the Celtic View will be out, which means this will be the last column I write in 2020.
FOUNDATION CHRISTMAS APPEAL SPOTLIGHT: THE INVISIBLES
WE continue our spotlight series on the organisations we hope to support through this year’s Celtic FC Foundation Christmas Appeal, with a closer look at the work of The Invisibles, a Glasgow-based voluntary organisation, which aims to provide comfort to those living on the city’s streets.
LIVING THE DREAM
Danny Crainie was proud to wear the Hoops and he continues to back the team as a supporter
EVERYONE IS HURTING AT THE RUN WE'RE ON
IT was a disconsolate home dressing room at Celtic on Sunday, as the team reflected on their first domestic cup defeat in over four years.
9 from NINE
The View wants YOUR views on the Hoops’ remarkable decade of dominance
