De Vries delights in Rodgers reunion
Dorus voices gratitude to Rodgers who once wanted him at Anfield
DORUS DE VRIES admits he once cast a dark cloud of gloom over Brendan Rodgers’ entire summer holiday. Clearly, though, the Celtic manager is not one to hold a grudge.
Having tried and failed to sign him for Liverpool, as the 35-year-old revealed yesterday, their long-awaited reunion at Parkhead has left the engaging de Vries with a distinctly sunny disposition.
Speaking at the weekend, Rodgers claimed his two biggest disappointments in the transfer market as a manager were losing Luis Suarez from Anfield — and de Vries from Swansea. What he did not mention is that they once almost became team-mates on Merseyside.
In 2011, de Vries rejected a new contract at Swansea to join Wolves instead. Rodgers, however, never forgot the Dutchman’s ability to operate effectively as a sweeper-keeper and build attacks from the back.
It was in his mind after he took over at Liverpool 12 months later, although that move to bring in de Vries never quite came off.
As it is, the man who will now compete with Craig Gordon to be Celtic’s No 1 is thankful Rodgers has finally succeeded in taking him to one of the game’s major institutions.
‘This move means more, coming at this stage of my career,’ admitted de Vries, whose recovery from an ankle injury sustained with Nottingham Forest rules him out of tomorrow’s Champions League play-off first leg against Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
‘The one thing I never had was the chance to play for a club which would at least have the possibility of Champions League or Europa League football.
‘For the majority of my career, I’ve played in the Championship — nine years — with the exception of one season in the Premier League and one in League One.
‘I’m just really fortunate to have this opportunity. I’m happy and I’m blessed to be here.
‘When Brendan was at Liverpool, I was close to signing for them. He tried to sign me, but, unfortunately, it didn’t happen.
‘So this is probably my last opportunity to join a really big club and be competing in the big tournaments.
‘I believe Brendan is the man who can take Celtic back into the Champions League. He’s a great man-manager.
‘His training sessions have always been enjoyable but always focused on the opposition. He is so well-organised and everyone knows what to expect.’
What, though, of the comparison with Suarez in terms of the heartache he caused Rodgers?
‘It’s a big compliment for him to say me and Luis Suarez were his two biggest losses,’ smiled de Vries, who has signed a two-year contract with Celtic.
‘It reminds of when I phoned him to say I was leaving Swansea to join Wolves. He was on holiday and that messed it up! He always reminds me of that, but it’s so positive for me.
‘When I see him and (goalkeeping coach) Steve Woods (whom de Vries worked with at Dunfermline), they are positive people and I like to be surrounded by that.
‘The gaffer has a certain fibre you embrace and connect with, so it’s great to be involved with him again.
‘When you have managers coming back for you, it is nice. Roberto Martinez, Brendan Rodgers, Mick McCarthy, these managers have tried to sign me again later in their careers.
‘That must say something about my character. The good thing is that I know the goalkeeper coach and gaffer, so they know what I can bring into the club as a human being and as a professional.’
The effusive way in which Rodgers spoke of de Vries made it clear Gordon has a genuine battle on his hands to retain his first-choice status.
‘You always come to fight,’ said the Dutchman. ‘You can’t just lie there and give up.
‘But I respect Craig Gordon. I respect Logan Bailly and Leonardo Fasan. It is a strong goalkeeper department and I’m looking forward to being part of that.
‘I’m here to compete and to become a better goalkeeper myself by embracing the experience. All the goalkeepers will push each other.’
The contest will soon commence, once de Vries has his ankle back in full working order.
The injury occurred in his final game for Forest, a 4-3 win over Burton Albion on August 6. It lead to the goalkeeper being stretchered from the field — and no little panic.
‘I was aware of Celtic’s interest when I played Burton Albion,’ said de Vries. ‘And the thought of the move being wrecked went through my mind straight away when I got the injury.
‘That was the first thing I thought about. You don’t care about the state of your ankle. You are just praying that it is not too bad.
‘I got really, really lucky, put it that way. There was no major damage. That settled my mind — and my heart — a little more.
‘Now my life has turned upside down again by joining one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a massive fanbase. It is great to be here.
‘Forest were reluctant in the beginning to let me go. I was one of their most important players. That’s what was said in the personal meetings with the chairman and the technical director there.
‘At the beginning, I thought it was going to be hard for me to join Celtic. But I had a good conversation later on and said this a great opportunity for myself because I know the manager really well.
‘The stature of this club, the history, playing for national championships, in cup finals and in Europe was something I wanted.
‘I’m really happy that Forest understood that. The people involved listened and granted my wish.’
The gaffer has a certain fibre you embrace and connect with