Celtic new boy Jos Hooiveld could have been a Livi Lion

Jan 14 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

CELTIC’S new big money signing could have been a Livingston star.

For it emerged this week that the new Bhoy turned out for the Lions on trial in 2005.

Hoops boss Tony Mowbray has shelled out £2m to land Dutch stopper Jos Hooiveld.

But Livi could have had him for far less after he arrived at Almondvale for a trial under former manager Richard Gough in January 2005.

Hooiveld turned out for Livingston in a bounce match against St Johnstone in what proved to be his only appearance for the then-SPL side as Gough passed on the chance to sign him.

After being released by Heerenveen in his native Holland, Hooiveld headed over to Finland and then on to Sweden and AIK where he was named Swedish Player of the Year last season which alerted Parkhead bosses.