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Man City legend explains why he chose Celtic over his dad’s Rangers roots

Originally posted on HITC | By Martin Crawford | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 10:43 AM ET

There are plenty of links between Celtic and Manchester City.

While Brendan Rodgers hasn’t turned to Jahmai Simpson-Pusey yet, there’s a long list of players who have found success after moving from City to Celtic.

Names like Georgios Samaras, Patrick Roberts, Joe Hart, and John Guidetti come to mind right away – but the list goes on far beyond them.

Billy McNeill, a legend at Celtic Park, also spent three seasons as manager at Man City during the 1980s, guiding them to promotion.

But for one player in particular — despite his father being a Rangers fan — there’s no question which club has his heart. Even though he never played for Celtic himself, this Manchester City legend made his feelings clear with just one photo.

Man City icon opens up about Celtic ties

Manchester City may be a completely different club to the one Paul Dickov played for, but he remains a fan favourite from his days at Maine Road.

The former Scotland striker spent eight years across two spells with City and was capped 10 times for the national team.

During an appearance on TalkSPORT, hosts Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist were debating his loyalties when Dickov cleared things up himself.

McCoist had said: “Alan’s trying to kid the nation on that you’re a Celtic man. Now I know fine well where your bread’s buttered. Your bread is buttered in Govan.

Dickov responded: “It’s not very often I think Alan’s right, but he’s 100% right on this Ally, I’m sorry mate.”

McCoist went on to say he’d seen something online about Dickov’s father taking him to Ibrox as a boy. Dickov replied: “My Dad tried to take me to Ibrox, my Dad was actually a Rangers fan.”

“Did your Mum drop you as a baby?” McCoist then joked.

Dickov never played in Scotland during his career and never got the chance to turn out for Celtic. But that hasn’t changed where his allegiances lie today.

English footballers with ties to Celtic

Plenty of footballers in England have roots in Celtic, and Paul Dickov is one of many. Players like Andy Robertson, Ben Doak, and John McGinn are all examples of this.

Sinclair’s connection comes from his parents – a father from Glasgow and a mother from Sligo. Stan Collymore has never hidden where his support lies either.

Kevin Kilbane even called Celtic the ‘biggest club in the world’ during a discussion about Alistair Johnston’s future, while James McClean’s ties to the club have long been known.

Roy Keane ended his playing days at Celtic after a long career down south, but not everyone has had the same fortune – Joey Barton being a prime example.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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