CILLIAN SHERIDAN says he never felt like a 'real' Celtic player in his four years at Parkhead. Even when he was enjoying the luxury of a private jet borrowed from Bono . 6 Cillian Sheridan joined Celtic from Ireland's amateur ranks in 2006 Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow 6 He landed international honours and was recently back in Glasgow at Queen's Park Credit: David Henderson 6 Celtic flew in U2's jet on a pre-season tour of America with Sheridan on board Credit: AFP 6 But it might never have happened had a TAXI DRIVER not inspired him before his trial Credit: Getty The 35-year-old was plucked from under the noses of Manchester City and Manchester United in 2006 while starring for Irish side Belvedere.
Tommy Burns was impressed with his two goals on trial and snapped up the striker , who quickly turned pro and struck four times for the Hoops. Since then Sheridan's enjoyed a well-travelled career and also become an SPFL cult hero - turning out for SEVEN Scottish sides - as well as clubs in New Zealand, Cyprus, Israel, Poland and Bulgaria. Most recently he was back in Glasgow at Queen 's Park , but he recalled his first spell in the city in Sunsport's A-Z - and some memorable words that inspired his Hoops career.
Read More Celtic stories WELCOME TO THE DAN Celtic contract rebel explains 'pathway to success' as reason for move ST MIRREN v CELTIC Hoops line-up intrigue after week of move rumours but Saints need a win He said: "I was playing for Belvedere and Ireland youths. "Man United, Man City , Celtic were among the big clubs watching. I wasn’t attached to a pro club and from that I started getting invites to trials .
"Gerry Reddy was Celtic’s scout. He arranged for me to go to Glasgow for a week’s trial and later a game. "In my taxi to Dublin airport the driver asked me what I was doing.
I told him, and he said, ‘Just give it your all, give it everything’. Most read in Football CLEM ON Clement: We want quality signings' pre-Celtic as he updates on Dessers & Matondo RED ALERT Moment star shown SECOND red card after 2 yellows but rival says he was FORTUNATE RANGERS 6 ROSS COUNTY 0 Danilo caps rout after Lawrence goal and two from Matondo, Dessers Ball boy scare Ball boy leaves pitch in tears as board falls on him in goal celebrations "In the game I ran like crazy. I scored two.
Tommy Burns said they wanted to offer me a contract. That was it. "It was the taxi guy who really motivated me!" Celtic legend Frank McAvennie 'lucky to be alive' after sleeping driver ploughs into his car He lived the dream with the Hoops - even flying on a pre-season tour in a pop star 's plane - but was never really strastruck by his rise to fame.
He explained: "I was never a big enough name to get real star attention. I never felt like a real Celtic player. "One great memory I have is from a pre-season tour to America.
Flying between cities over there we had U2’s jet and that was class. "[Fame] didn’t have that much effect. At Celtic, and for a year or two afterwards, diehard fans would recognise me.
6 Sporting knitwear on Sportscene made him a cult hero in Scottish football Credit: BBC "I was golfing recently and someone came up and said, ‘Big man, thank you for representing the Hoops’. That was cool." Now he's looking for his next move - perhaps an eighth country to stamp on his playing passport or a new advanture.
As well as a growing list of clubs in Scotland Sheridan halso has a cult hero status for his FASHION . He memorably donned a Christmas jumper for an appearance on Sportscene - and has vowed to do it again if given the chance. Read more on the Scottish Sun 'BEST IN TOWN' 'We need to stockpile', cry locals as Scots butchers to close after 40yrs BITE MOVE Eight sharks spotted near Scots beach as country labelled vital breeding ground 6 He admitted: "I actually planned to wear a dickie-bow, just to make an impression but my St Johnstone team-mate Sean Higgins said I should wear a Christmas jumper.
So I did! "I’ve still got it. I’ll wear it again the next time I’m on a festive Sportscene." Our New YouTube Channel Subscribe to our new Scottish Sun Sport YouTube channel for all the latest football news, views and amazing moments.
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