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Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud explains why he rejected Celtic move 10 years ago

France international striker Olivier Giroud has revealed that he was close to joining Celtic 10 years ago after deciding to leave Ligue 2 side Tours.

Neil Lennon was the Hoops’ newly-appointed manager at the time, and it appeared that he was keen on bringing the Chelsea striker to Parkhead after he scored 21 league goals in 38 games for Tours and emerged as the Ligue 2 Player of the Year.

The Celtic boss had gone about a massive squad overhaul ahead of the 2010-11 campaign, with 15 players leaving and handing him enough funds to re-build for the new season.