CELTIC flop Nadir Ciftci insists he is determined to banish his ‘lost’ days after joining Motherwell on loan until the end of the season.
The £1.3million misfit has endured a torrid time snce his move from Dundee United to the Hoops in July 2015 and has spent the majority of the last two seasons away from Parkhead.
His season-long loan stint at Plymouth Argyle ended abruptly when boss Derek Adams persuaded Brendan Rodgers to rip up the contract.
Ciftci didn’t score a solitary goal in his eight games for the League One side and that disappointment followed miserable spells in Turkey with Eskişehirspor and in Poland with Pogoń Szczecin.
The misfiring marksman said: “It’s been a bit difficult, but it’s been a great lesson. You can look it in a bad way, you can’t just think everything goes against you.
“I’ve learned a lot in the two years without really playing much.
“I enjoyed my half-season in Turkey and then I started getting a bit lost. I learned a lot in this period as I tried to stay strong.”
The 25-year-old is glad to finally join the Fir Park outfit who have been keeping tabs on him after almost landing him on two occasions in the last 12 months.
Ciftci added: “Last January in the last minutes of the transfer window, the paperwork didn’t go through, and Motherwell had a game up at Ross County, so it made it a bit difficult. Obviously, the summer as well.
“It’s now the third time and when the chance came early doors, I just grabbed it and now I’m here.
“I got a really warm welcome from all the boys and staff, so first impressions are really good. I felt like I’m home already and that gives me a good feeling.
“I watched the Betfred League Cup Final, so, hopefully, we can reach another Final and try and play as many games as I can.”
The CQN Podcast: A Celtic State of Mind (EP28) with former Celtic director Tom Grant
Paul John Dykes and Kevin Graham are joined by Celtic’s ex-director, Tom Grant, who offers a fascinating insight into the running of the club in the 1980s and 1990s.
Tom Grant explains exactly why Celtic refused to complete the Mo Johnston transfer in 1989, and lifts the lid on audacious efforts by Billy McNeill to recruit Peter Beardsley and Steve Bruce.
Tom Grant also dissects his relationship with Fergus McCann, and the impact of the ‘Celts For Change’ movement in overturning the ‘family dynasty’ board in 1994.
Jim Craig made two of the three goals in the 1967 European Cup Final. There’s a great wee video below for you to enjoy. Get Jim’s new Lisbon Lion Diary – Right Back to 67 from CQNBookstore.co.uk and you will receive a signed copy from the man himself plus a FREE copy of That Season in Paradise – Ten Months of Celtic Heaven signed by fellow Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld! Simply order Jim Craig – Right Back to 67 and the second book will be sent automatically.
