New York Red Bulls director Kevin Thelwell has recently revealed that some at Celtic wanted to keep forward Patryk Klimala at Parkhead.

The Lowdown: Klimala’s big-money deal and wage increase

Klimala made the move to the MLS last month, ending his Celtic Park career after just 15 months.

The 22-year-old cost the Hoops £3.6m back in 2020, however, Celtic sold the striker for £3.93m despite the Pole scoring just three times in 28 appearances.

Reports have suggested add-ons could take the deal up to £5m, with Klimala now on around $22,000-a-week (£15,500) stateside.

The Latest: Thelwell’s claim on the forward

New York Red Bulls director Kevin Thelwell was recently talking about Klimala to The Atheltic and admitted that some at Parkhead actually ‘didn’t want to let him go’ – an intriguing six-word admission.

“I had outstanding references on him at Celtic. There were some people there who didn’t want to let him go, didn’t feel he had the opportunity perhaps he should have done and were also saying if he did get the opportunity Celtic would have been a lot better for it.

“These are people I trust and people we trust within our network.”

The Verdict: An offer too good to turn down

Let's be honest, the offer from New York Red Bulls was just too good to turn down. Celtic have ended up making an immediate £330,000 profit on a player who averaged a goal every nine appearances.

He failed to become a mainstay in the Hoops side and had to deal with cameo appearances from the bench.

If the bid from New York Red Bulls was less than £3m, we could understand the Hoops rejecting it and keeping faith with the forward.

However, that wasn’t the case and we don’t feel that Celtic have made the wrong decision, even if some inside Celtic Park feel they might have.

In other news: 'Howe wants...' - Alan Nixon drops Celtic managerial demand which could be good news for Dom McKay, find out more here.