COLE HAS A ROLE IN GLASGOW

CARLTON COLE knocked back the chance to move to megabucks Major League Soccer in order to try and win a deal with Celtic.

The former England international striker, who has been released by West Ham, had the option to sign for a side in North America.

Instead, though, the classy 31-year-old hitman chose to head to Glasgow to try and seal a potential move to the SPFL champions.

Cole, capped seven times by his country, was at Parkhead yesterday to see the Hoops blitz Dundee 6-0.

Boss Ronny Deila confirmed Cole will train with the club this week with a view to agreeing a contract.

He said: “We will have talks with him and watch him in training, as well. We will see then if something is going to happen or not.

“I think he is a very good football player. He has shown in the Premier League and in the Championship that he can score goals. He is different from what we have.”

Cole was freed by the Hammers in the summer after nine years at Upton Park and has since been linked with a number of English clubs.

He kicked off his career at Chelsea and had five years with the London outfit which also included loan spells at Wolves, Charlton and Aston Villa. Cole joined West Ham in the summer of 2006 for an undisclosed fee, He agreed a five-year extension in November 2008.

Stoke City and Turkish giants Galatasaray attempted to sign him in 2011, but he preferred to remain in London.

The striker’s situation, having been a free agent before September 2, means he can sign for any club outside of the transfer window.