Henchoz move sealed by O'Neill meeting
New Celtic defender Stephane Henchoz insists one meeting with Martin O’Neill and the memory of a UEFA Cup tie at Parkhead was all it took to convince him to join the club.
The Switzerland international, who was a target for Rangers earlier this month, has joined the Hoops until the end of the season from Liverpool.
Henchoz said: “I am very happy with the deal – especially as I am leaving one great club to come to another great club.
“There were a few other clubs interested in signing me but as soon as I heard of Celtic’s interest and met Martin O’Neill then that was it.
“After I met Martin, I knew Celtic was the right club for me.
“And after Liverpool playing here in European competition, I know all about the atmosphere that is created by the Celtic support here in the stadium and I can’t wait to experience that in a Celtic shirt.
“I am also looking forward to meeting up with the players here after those UEFA Cup games and seeing so much of Celtic on TV in the Champions League.”
But Henchoz is also aiming to bank silverware as Celtic chase their fourth Bank of Scotland Premier League title in five years.
He added: “There are 15 games left in the league. I hope to play a part in not only retaining the title for Celtic, but also adding the Scottish Cup to lift the double.”
Henchoz, who cost Liverpool £3.5m (€5m) when he joined from Blackburn in 1999, had been interesting Celtic’s Old Firm rivals, as well as a number of English clubs, including Bolton.
But Martin O’Neill was determined to land the experienced international, who initially had expressed a preference for staying in England.
Henchoz’s new team-mate Bobo Balde has been linked with moves to Everton and Middlesbrough, and although there seem unlikely to be developments on that front until the summer, in the meantime Celtic will be strong in the centre-back department.
