Juninho released by Celtic

Juninho has been released from his contract with Celtic and is to return to his native Brazil.

The former Middlesbrough midfielder, 32, has failed to adapt to life in the Bank of Scotland Premier League and agreement has now been reached with the Glasgow club to end his seven-month stint at Celtic Park.

Juninho made 22 appearances for the Hoops, scoring one goal.

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has previously expressed his regret that the move has failed to work out after he played a starring role on his debut against Rangers last August.

“I am disappointed,” the Northern Irishman admitted.

“I thought he would come here and it would be a new lease of life for him. It has been disappointing but I told him that I wouldn’t keep him prisoner either.”

Juninho’s agent Brian Hassell added: “He is very disappointed with how things have transpired.

“I have been in this game an awful long time and after 30-odd years to see his first game against Rangers, with the Celtic crowd, was one of the biggest thrills in my life.

“So you can understand how he must be feeling with the way things have gone since then. Everyone concerned is disappointed that it has come to this. Of course he has regrets.”

Juninho felt he was a victim of O’Neill’s tactics and described the Scottish top flight as “ridiculous”.