Former Liverpool striker makes confession over Old Firm transfer.
A former Champions League winner admits he regrets not getting “a taste” of playing for Rangers or Celtic in an Old Firm derby as part of his illustrious career.
Former Liverpool, Marseille and Sunderland striker Djibril Cisse won trophies in France, England and Greece during his successful two-decade career. He also represented the France national team, scoring nine goals and featuring at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Capped 41 times by his country, he played at the highest level and won the Champions League during his time at Anfield, converting his penalty in Liverpool's famous 2005 shootout win over AC Milan in Istanbul.
However, despite experiencing the highest of highs during his time in the game, he confesses that one of his regrets is not having the chance to sample the atmosphere of an Old Firm derby, while admitting that a move was possible in the past.
“They’re two big historic clubs,” said Cisse. “It’s a historic derby with two crazy crowds and two teams going toe to toe. It’s a really, really great derby, and I honestly don’t know which one I would have chosen. Did I ever have the chance to play for Celtic or Rangers? It was possible.”
The 45-year-old, who retired from football nine years ago, also believes it would be a smart move by Celtic if they approached his former Liverpool teammate Craig Bellamy to take over from veteran boss Martin O’Neill when finally steps away from his role at Parkhead. Cisse is currently working with as a striker coach with former club Auxerre, but did his coaches badges alongside the Wales head coach recently.
Bellamy, 47, won the Scottish Cup during a six-month loan spell at Celtic in 2005, was heavily linked to the vacant role at Parkhead last season following Brendan Rodgers’ resignation. However, he reaffirmed his commitment to his current role as the Scottish champions appointed Wilfried Nancy, before sacking him after just 53 days and replacing him with O’Neill.
“I’m doing my coaching badges in Wales, so I’ve seen Craig Bellamy work,” said Cisse. “He’s a top coach with his own ideas and a way of working I really like. Yes, in the future he’ll become a top coach. He’s already a very good one. He’ll learn from experience and he’ll definitely end up at a big club.”
Cisse also believes Bellamy has the ability to return to Merseyside one day, believing he has already shown that he has ability to manage at the very highest level during his time in charge of the Wales national team. “Why not Liverpool?” said Cisse. “A club he knows, where he scored goals and was decisive. In the future, he’ll be one of the coaches people count on."
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