Juninho determined to realise Hoop dream

Jon West

But if Hoops manager Martin O'Neill continues to overlook him, the Brazilian World Cup winner would contemplate a move back to the Premiership with Manchester City. The 30-year-old's Celtic career has already reached a crossroads despite only arriving from Middlesbrough in August. He was left on the bench on Sunday as Celtic overcame Rangers 2-1 in the Scottish Cup.

And, having already suffered similar snubs in Champions League games, the play-maker knows it could be time to move on.

Botafogo are desperate to take him back to his homeland and a loan move to Manchester City has also been mooted.

But agent Brian Hassall insisted Juninho's dream scenario was to win over O'Neill and stay at Celtic.

He said: "I know there is interest from a Brazilian club but I know Juninho doesn't want to go there.

"He wants to stay in Britain. In fact, he wants to stay at Celtic.

"If Juninho could have his way it would be to play football for the club he signed for, for the manager who signed him and that's Martin O'Neill."

Juninho has made it clear he is mystified why O'Neill recruited him and then ignored him for the big games this season.

Hassall added: "I would have to go along with that. If he was a poor trainer or a bad influence in the dressing room I could understand it. I thought going to Celtic would be brilliant for him and that he and Martin O'Neill would be brilliant for each other. I saw him make his debut against Rangers and I have never been at a game like it.

"I thought it was one of the best experiences ever and Juninho was man of the match."

Juninho's father has flown to the UK to be with his son and Hassall expected to be kept up to date with Botafogo's interest.

But Hassall made it clear that a move to Manchester City, who are badly in need of a midfield play-maker, was more of a possibility.

He said: "It was a thought at one stage. If you are not going to get a game under one manager you look for another whose style of play suits you. He is a fan of Kevin Keegan's style of play. It would not be a bad move for him."

But the key to the player's future was O'Neill, he added.