Scepovic: Parkhead was always my first choice

New Celtic signing Stefan Scepovic insists Parkhead was always his first-choice destination despite his apparent transfer U-turn.

Scepovic faces a battle to win over some Celtic fans who were unhappy with his behaviour on the final day of a transfer window, which might yet offer more drama for the club.

Celtic signed Scepovic from Sporting Gijon late Monday but just missed the deadline to sign Manchester City striker John Guidetti on loan. However, Scottish football authorities will take their case to Fifa in a bid to push the signing through. Guidetti arrived at Celtic on Monday after Peter Lawwell revealed he had been told on Sunday night Scepovic did not want to come to the club despite agreeing a deal, passing a medical and securing a work permit.

The 24-year-old subsequently held talks with Getafe but a deal fell through, reportedly because of Spanish financial fair play rules, and the Celtic transfer was back on.

But, as he was unveiled as a Celtic player in Glasgow, he said: “I never said that I don’t want to come. In all transfers you have some problems but I don’t want to look at what happened before. I just want to look at the future. My first option was always Celtic and I’m very happy that I’m here. The most important thing is that we finished everything.”

When asked if he thought he faced additional pressure to win round the fans, he said: “My first choice was always Celtic. I will work hard and do everything on the field to prove I can play here.”

Scepovic could face more competition for a place up front if Fifa agree to Celtic’s bid to sign Guidetti.