NEW Celtic keeper Dorus de Vries has revealed why he couldn’t say no to ex-boss Brendan Rodgers.
The 35-year-old Dutchman agreed a two-year deal with the champions at the weekend to be reunited with his former Swansea manager.
De Vries, who had been three years at Nottingham Forest, admitted he just could not reject the chance to go to Parkhead.
The ex-Dunfermline shotstopper, who was voted the Nottingham Forest Player of the Year last season, said: “It was a difficult decision for me to make, but the opportunity was too good to turn down.
“To have the chance to compete at the highest level in Europe is something I have always targeted, so when my agent told me about the interest from Celtic I knew it was something I needed to look at.
“I would like to thank the Forest fans for all their support since I joined the club three years ago.
“I have enjoyed my relationship with the supporters, even through some difficult times they always showed me incredible loyalty and for that I will forever have a place in my heart for the club.
“And I would also like to personally thank goalkeeping coach Steve Sutton for everything he has done for me.”
Rodgers insisted De Vries will be a serious contender to Craig Gordon for the No 1 position at the Hoops.
The Irishman said: “He’s a really fit guy. He’s 35, but look at guys such as Edwin Van der Sar who played right through till 40 and had some of his best years in that final part of their career.
“He can distribute, pass the ball and he’s as good as I’ve seen in all my travels.
“Dorus has been nursing a slight knock, so we’re assessing that, but I expect him to join the goalkeepers in training tomorrow.”
Celtic agreed to pay £400,000 for the goalie who had a year to run on his Forest contract.
Rodgers made his move with the Hoops guaranteed at least six European games and Gordon’s Belgian back-up Logan Bailly sidelined with an ankle injury.
That left the Parkhead gaffer with only rookie Italian Leo Fasan as stand-by if the Scotland international sustained an injury.
