JOHN HARTSON reckons Adam Matthews will miss Celtic after the defender’s £2million switch to Sunderland.
The Welsh international right-back, 23, has agreed a four-year deal with Dick Advocaat’s Premier League outfit.
Former Hoops star Hartson said: “It’s a brave decision, but I’m sure it’s all about getting regular football.
“I think if he’s not promised that at Celtic and he’s guaranteed to play more at Sunderland, then I can understand.”
Matthews joined Celtic on a pre-contract agreement from Cardiff City in June 2011 and made 148 appearances.
Hartson, who played 146 times for the Parkhead side between 2001 and 2006, said: “It’s never easy when you have to leave a big club – and they don’t come much bigger than Celtic.
“It can be a wrench to leave because the adulation you receive everywhere you go in Glasgow.
“To play in front of those magnificent 60,000 fans every home game, the opportunity to play in Europe as well, Adam would have tasted that as well during his time at Celtic.”
Hartson thinks international ambitions with Wales was also a factor for Matthews, who has not played for Chris Coleman’s side since the 3-0 defeat against Serbia in September 2013.
He added: “He’s certainly got the talent, he’s got the ability.
“It’s easy me saying he’s going to Sunderland for first team football, when he goes there he’s also going to have competition to get into the first team and stay there.
“But, certainly, I think it’s the fact he wants to play regularly and if you are playing regularly then, of course, that’s going to help you at international level.”
