CELTIC were linked with the move of Austrian foreign defender Flavius Daniliuc last month.
The 23-year-old central defender spent the second half of last season on loan at Red Bull Salzburg and then started the summer with his national team at Euro 2024.
With experiences at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, he has an impressive resume.
And with Brendan Rodgers also adding to his defensive strength this summer, the links have largely been welcomed by the Hoops faithful.
But then everything calmed down and Kasper Schemeichel, Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo took over the duties.
Until now.
Spontaneous photographs taken on board a London-Glasgow flight have Celtic enthusiasts on social media.
It appeared that it was a passenger playing football heading north, and that he temporarily “identified” himself as Salernitana’s Austrian defender.
A frenzy began on online football forums and social accounts while Daniliuc’s arrival was analyzed.
And the rumors were partly true.
One said: “Flavius Daniliuc is coming. Sitting next to my dad’s friend on a flight. I googled it and we were logged in last month. “
Another added: “Someone said I was on a flight from London last night. “
A third responded: “He’s the MASSIVE bastard huh?”
A furtive snap added to the fire.
Was there a player on the flight? Was Celtic Red Bull Salzburg present at the signing of the striker?
Yes and no.
It was later learned that the character WAS a footballer. Plus, he IS a defenseman too.
But he is not a former Real Madrid or Bayern Munich player: he will be in the main squad for this summer.
Sunsport can reveal the identity shown to former Airdrie boy Joe Cassidy, not the Austria international.
The much-loved 18-year-old left the Diamonds last month as rumors emerged of Daniliuc moving to Celtic, and is said to be on the radar of clubs moving south of the border.
He played two games for Rhys McCabe’s team last season when they began a successful SPFL Trust Trophy crusade and helped the Diamonds defeat Rangers B along the way.
Following his debut at the festival last year, his boss said: “Special mention to young Joe Cassidy.
“I think it was excellent. To face two competitive and intelligent center forwards, I think Joe had done well.
“There are still small parts of his game that he can learn from, but I think working with Callum Fordyce and Aaron Taylor-Sinclair on a daily basis will do that. ”
Meanwhile, Daniliuc remains under contract with Salernitana, but their relegation to Serie B leaves one exit. . . and a possible move to Scotland, still open.
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