JAVIER SANCHEZ BROTO answered an SOS from Martin O’Neill in January 2003 after a double injury setback for regular keepers Rab Douglas and Magnus Hedman.
The Barcelona-born netminder arrived in a quickfire deal from Livingston and made only 10 appearances for the Hoops before returning to Spain after agreeing a switch to Real Murcia.
One of Broto’s rare appearances came as a ninth-minute substitute for the crrocked Douglas in an Old Firm game at Ibrox when O’Neill’s side won 2-1 with goals from Alan Thompson (pen) and John Hartson.
OLD FIRM DEBUT…Javier Sanchez Broto prepares to replace the injured Rab Douglas early in the Ibrox match in April 2003. Martin O’Neill and assistant Steve Walford watch on in the encounter won 2-1 by Celtic.
O’Neill would have been happy to offer the shotstopper an extension on his short-term contract, but the player called it quits after six months at Parkhead.
Broto had been brought to Scotland in the summer of 2000 on a Bosman transfer to become part of Steve Archibald’s ill-fated Airdrie Revolution. When the club faced financial difficulties, the keeper was signed by Celtic legend Davie Hay for Livingston in March the following year.
After leaving the Hoops for Real Murcia, the popular Catalan then switched to newly-promoted Getafe in season 2004/05.
Broto was on the move again the following year as he joined second-tier Hercules, but, at the age of 34, was forced to retire shortly afterwards due to persistent injuries.
* TOMORROW: Don’t miss the adventures of another former Celt in CQN’s EXCLUSIVE series.
