Degen on trial at Celtic

Switzerland midfielder David Degen has been handed a trial by Celtic after being scolded for his lack of effort by Borussia Monchengladbach coach Jos Luhukay.

Borussia let Degen travel to Scotland to train with the SPL champions after Luhukay criticised his attitude and suggested he finds a new club.

Former Basle player Degen, 24, who is only a third of the way into a three-year contract with Borussia, is hoping to impress Celtic manager Gordon Strachan who welcomed him to Glasgow despite being in the recovery stages following a hip operation.

"The welcome I got from Celtic was extraordinary," Degen told Record PM. "The manager is injured but he still came to see me to say hello."

"This felt outstanding. I'd never been treated that way before.

"Celtic is a massive club with a great tradition and, of course, I'm interested in joining."

Borussia head coach Luhukay, who took charge in March of the team who have been relegated from the German Bundesliga, last week ordered Degen to train with the club's U-23 side.

Luhukay accused Degen of being a disruptive influence on team-mates at training, saying: "He was lacking concentration, unprofessional and a nuisance factor.

"He did not show the attitude which you would expect.

"His head has been switched off Borussia and therefore he will train with the U-23 side for the next one-and-a-half weeks, but he will not play.

"His time has run out. He can go, if the conditions are correct."