Celtic tried to sign Oh Hyeon-gyu in the summer, according to Suwon Samsung Bluewings manager Lee Byung-keun, who reckons his former star player will be a hero in Glasgow.
The Hoops completed the signing of the 21-year-old South Korean international this week and boss Ange Postecoglou admitted he had tracked Oh for a while.
And his former club in his homeland have revealed the Scottish champions first made their move in the summer, before his World Cup heartache, where he missed out on their squad for Qatar.
Lee said: "The first offer came from Celtic in the summer.
"Back then I had a meeting with Oh and he told me that playing in Europe was his dream.
"He has now fulfilled his dream and I know he will be a success.
"Celtic have many good players there from Japan, but Oh is as good as they are. He goes to Scotland full of confidence in his own ability.
"He wants me to come over too so I can cheer for him once he gets into the team.
"But he's left me with a huge problem. My biggest worry for the forthcoming season is finding someone to replace him and that won't be easy.
"It was difficult for me and the club to grant his wish to be transferred because we know how difficult it will be to find a new player like him.
"But we would never stand in any player's way who wants to go to Europe. And Oh had a very strong desire to go there.
"I wish him all the success in the world, but he won't need it."
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