Nadir Ciftci: 'I nearly quit football'

Celtic striker Nadir Ciftci has said that he nearly retired from football during his time at Dutch club NAC Breda.

The 23-year-old, who has been criticised in the past for being too aggressive, is rumoured to have kicked teammate Tim Gilissen in the ribs during his time at NAC.

"I admit what I did at NAC was not right but when lots of people are fighting, lots of people are to blame," Ciftci told a Dutch magazine. "My teammates were bastards in training. When players shout at you, 'Break his leg, bring him down,' then it has an effect on you.

"I did things wrong but the club were not honest with me. I was seen as the bad boy but that is not the case. I am just passionate.

"There have been times when I have wanted to quit football. Now I am playing Europa League football with Celtic against Ajax and Fenerbahce. How strange is that?"

Ciftci signed for the Bhoys for a fee of £1.5m from Dundee United in the summer.