23 Sep Ronny Deila: Carlton Cole’s not at Celtic for the money – he’s putting fun before finances
THE Celtic manager says that cash doesn’t rule the former West Ham frontman’s world as he spends a week on trial, looking to win a permanent deal.
RONNY DEILA has praised transfer target Carlton Cole for putting football fun ahead of personal finance.
The Celtic boss revealed his club will not break their wage structure to lure the ex-England striker to Parkhead.
Former West Ham star Cole, 31, is at Lennoxtown this week for training with a view to signing a deal at least until the end of next season.
The average salary at West Ham last year was £30,000-a-week, in excess of anything on offer to the top players at the Scottish champions.
Deila insists Cole is not motivated by money at this stage of his career, but fulfilment from football after spending the past two years making twice as many appearances form the bench for the Hammers as top-team starts.
Deila said: “The wage structure here is not a surprise to him. Every agent knows about our structure and its limits.
“It says a lot about him. He has earned his money and it’s not as if he would earn nothing here – the money is quite okay.
“However, it shows he wants to enjoy the last years of his career in football. He’s a lovely guy and at his age you start to think the bank account doesn’t always make you happy.
“When you don’t have money you think it’s the only thing in the world. Then, when you have it, you realise it doesn’t make you happy.
“Money gives you freedom – and he now has the freedom to come here and play for less money, but to have more fun.
“He’s watching us and we’re watching him to see if it is a good match or not. He’s a lovely guy and you can see he’s a good player. He will be here at least this week and although we haven’t set a deadline we won’t let it go a long, long time.
“If he goes for it, the contract should be beyond the summer.”
Cole watched Celtic for the first time in their 6-0 demolition of Dundee on Sunday and is set to look on again tonight when Deila’s side begin their defence of the League Cup at home to Raith Rovers.
Deila revealed Cole was bowled over by the atmosphere in and around Celtic Park on Sunday as he made his first visit to Scotland.
BY GARY RALSTON