Coelho vows not to be another Brazilian flop

Celtic target Coelho insists he will be a better buy for the Parkhead club than their last Brazilian defender Rafael Scheidt.

Hoops boss Gordon Strachan has invited the Brazil international to Glasgow next month with a view to signing for the Parkhead club and alleviating their defensive problems.

The hapless Scheidt was signed from Gremio for £5m in 1999 by the then Celtic management team of John Barnes and Kenny Dalglish and was a spectacular failure, leaving Parkhead after making only three appearances.

Coelho’s solitary cap to date came as a second half substitute in Brazil’s 1-0 defeat to Mexico in the Gold Cup final of 2003.

The 24-year-old Corinthian right-back, who got married on Friday, tried to ease the fears of any dubious Hoops fans by telling the Scottish Sun: “I am confident I will be successful.

“I know Rafael Scheidt played for Celtic. Unfortunately he didn’t settle and returned to Brazil.

“If you have problems settling it brings problems in your football but I believe I can settle better and quicker in Scotland.

“I am confident I will get used to everything quickly.

“I’ve seen Celtic a few times on television but I don‘t know a great deal about the SPL.

“But myself and my family are very excited about our new adventure in Scotland.

“It is an enormous privilege that a club the size of Celtic want to sign me.

“I think this is an incredible honour and I couldn’t believe it when I was told.”