High Graphics Version Front Page | Results/Fixtures | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Other Sports | Sports Talk | In Depth | Photo Galleries | Audio/Video | TV & Radio | BBC Pundits | Funny Old Game |

BBC Sport Online: Football: Teams: Celtic


Thursday, 18 January, 2001, 03:36 GMT

Eyal sit it out at Parkhead



Celtic's Eyal Berkovic
Celtic's Eyal Berkovic told Israeli TV on Wednesday that he has no future at the club and that he will probably never play for the Scottish side again.

Speaking on Israel's Channel 5 sports channel, the out-of-favour midfielder said: "There is no way back for me...my time is up at Celtic."

But the Israeli international said he was in no hurry to leave Parkhead.

"I'm not going to give up my chance to make as much money as possible, because in four or five years when my career is over that (the money) is all that I will have left," he said.


Perhaps I will manage to find another club but in the meantime I am prepared to suffer
Eyal Berkovic

"If I have to suffer, then I will. I will not forfeit a single shekel at Celtic. I have a contract and it should be honoured."

Berkovic, however, refused to criticise manager Martin O'Neill, who has sidelined him ever since his arrival at the club last summer.

Training hard

"I won't say a word about the manager. I am not allowed to.

"I came to Celtic a year ago in a blaze of glory but the whole matter has been turned on its head.

"I'm training very seriously but I know that there is no hope for me at Celtic and I don't even want to continue playing there."

Berkovic said he was open to offers from other clubs and that he had been approached by Turkish side Besiktas, but that his wife did not want to move from Scotland to Turkey.

Family comes first

"Perhaps I will manage to find another club but in the meantime I am prepared to suffer.

"After my experiences I have become pessimistic. I'm not prepared to drive my family crazy for football.

"When I was young, I was prepared to do anything in order to realise my dream, but today my family comes before football.

"I am not worried, there will be an offer, but if not I'll stay there for another three-and-a-half years.

"I will suffer - but at least I'll know that my family will benefit."


Related to this story:
Berkovic refusing loan deals (05 Dec 00 | Celtic)
Berkovic angry with O'Neill (17 Nov 00 | Celtic)
Berkovic: Play me or sell me (19 Oct 00 | Celtic)

Internet links: Celtic FC |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
High Graphics Version Front Page | Results/Fixtures | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Other Sports | Sports Talk | In Depth | Photo Galleries | Audio/Video | TV & Radio | BBC Pundits | Funny Old Game |