Olivier Kapo was a standout addition for Celtic, who have had several forgettable signings in the past. The 30-year-old, a former Juventus and France midfielder, arrived on a free transfer in November 2010 and was a no-risk signing.
The former Monaco and Birmingham City winger, who has nine caps for his country, brings a strong record. On paper, Neil Lennon appeared to have pulled off a significant coup by giving Kapo a chance to resurrect his career after leaving Wigan Athletic. However, after a tumultuous few months in Glasgow, the deal proved to be more trouble than it was worth.
Kapo was assigned the number 77 jersey and turned off interest from the Bundesliga to sign an 18-month contract with the Hoops. Crucially, Celts had the option to cancel Kapo’s contract in January 2011, if he failed to demonstrate his worth. After making only two appearances in an injury-plagued two months, it was little surprise when the Parkhead club confirmed in January 2011 that they had parted ways with the journeyman Frenchman.
With 51 minutes of football under his belt, you’d think Kapo would have accepted his fate and simply exited through the backdoor. But the Ivory Coast-born player had other plans after accusing Celtics officials of breaching a financial deal with him and claimed that Lennon did not have the last say on transfers.
In a bitter statement, he let rip: “I still do not understand this sudden change of situation. I feel a deep injustice, even though the coaching staff wanted me to stay. Despite the insistence of Neil Lennon, I did not want to stay longer in a situation where a young coach, who was an experienced player, is not able to impose his choices on the financial management.”
But Kapo’s complaints were quickly dismissed by Lennon, who made it obvious that the former Champions League star had not done enough to win a long-term contract. The Northern Irishman responded, “It’s trash, total bullshit. We couldn’t offer him a contract for 30 minutes of football or the money he wanted, but we were willing to extend his contract until the end of the season if he demonstrated his fitness.
“There is no doubting his talent – but he didn’t do enough to warrant what he wanted. I couldn’t go to the board and say I want this guy to have a one-year, two-year, 18-month contract, based on 30 minutes of football. I’d have everybody knocking on the door if that was the case.”
Kapo’s days of shining at the elite level appeared to be coming to an end, but he made a surprise comeback to his first club Auxerre after a brief time in Qatar. Kapo then joined Superleague Greece’s Levadiakos before finishing his career with Polish Ekstraklasa side Korona Kielce. Kapo, a player who may have excelled at Celtic Park during his heyday, will be remembered as one of the club’s more forgettable signings.
Olivier Kapo Blasts Celtic, Expresses Preference for Rangers
Former Celtic midfielder Olivier Kapo has reignited old tensions by criticizing his brief stint with the Scottish club and expressing admiration for their bitter rivals, Rangers. The Frenchman, who joined Celtic in November 2010 but departed after just a few months, recently made headlines with remarks questioning the club’s management and culture during his time at Parkhead.
Kapo’s short-lived Celtic career ended unceremoniously, with disputes surrounding his contract and playing opportunities under then-manager Neil Lennon. Speaking to the media, he accused the club of a lack of professionalism and respect, describing his experience as “disappointing and disorganized.”
In a controversial twist, Kapo also praised Rangers, stating he appreciated their competitive spirit and footballing ethos more than what he encountered at Celtic. “Rangers had a different energy,” he reportedly said, sparking debate among fans of both clubs.
While Kapo’s comments have stirred reactions online, they underline the intense rivalry between the two Glasgow giants, where allegiances and criticism from former players can further fuel the already fiery Old Firm divide.
