Football: Grant: Going south was the making of me

NEW Celtic coach Peter Grant was delighted to return to the Parkhead club after a 13-year absence, then claimed the best thing he ever did was leave in the first place, writes RONNIE ESPLIN.

Grant was a Hoops player from the early 1980s until the mid 1990s before moving down south to play for Norwich, Reading and Bournemouth.

After a spell as Norwich boss, he was an assistant at West Ham before being invited on to the coaching staff at West Brom by Tony Mowbray, who brought Grant up to Celtic this week along with assistant Mark Venus.

And Grant said: "I've been down in England 13 years and I never thought I'd see the day I would walk back into Celtic Park, apart from being a supporter.

"To say it is a pleasant surprise is an understatement.

"It was a no-brainer for us. There is no doubt that the Premier League is fantastic but Celtic is a different beast altogether.

"However, the best thing I ever did was leave Celtic. The experiences I gained have been amazing. I have worked in every division in England and worked in the Premier League for three years.

"I worked with some marvellous players, I've been promoted, relegated and got to finals so I've earned my stripes."