Ivan Toney details why he snubbed Celtic and Rangers transfer offers

Ivan Toney has opened up on his decision to turn down Celtic and Rangers before he moved to Brentford back in 2020.

The Englishman held talks with both sides of the Glasgow divide before opting for a move to the English Championship, before then gaining promotion to the Premier League.

Toney was the top scorer at Peterborough at the time when he held talks in Glasgow, but he has revealed that a move to Scotland just didn’t feel right.

Toney, who is currently serving an eight-month ban from football due to gambling breaches, told Diary of a CEO podcast: “I did speak to other clubs. I actually went up to Rangers and spoke with the manager there, which was Steven Gerrard at the time.

“We spoke a bit, but there were two strikers at the time and they were looking to bring another one in, so there would’ve been four strikers. I think the formation that they played, the majority of the time was one striker up top. So I would have been third choice, something like this.

 

“We went to Celtic, we spoke to Celtic and I think it was the same there. I’m one of three strikers or something like this. I think at the time when I was moving, I wanted to be the main guy.

“The crucial thing for me is playing games. Even though I back myself and compete with other strikers, I want everyone to know that when I’m bursting through the door, I’m the main man up front.

“I feel like when I spoke to the manager at Brentford, he pretty much said you’re the main guy and I don’t see anybody taking your spot. So make sure you produce the goods, it’s yours really.”

 

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