The Bhoy From Brazil

He was the World Cup winner who moved to Paradise, and we look back at the first interview Juninho did with the Celtic View

It was a move that captured the imagination of Celtic supporters – the signing of Brazilian attacker, Juninho ahead of the 2004/05 season.

The player, who had enjoyed two spells at Middlesbrough as well as time with Atletico Madrid, had been part of Brazil’s triumphant 2002 World Cup-winning side and his arrival sparked excitement that he would be able to bring added flair and skill to Martin O’Neill’s Celtic side.

He made his Hoops debut in the 1-0 win over Rangers at the end of August 2004, but it would be a frustrating season for the player. He made 21 appearances in total for Celtic – 13 starts and eight as substitute, while his only goal came in a 3-0 home win over Hearts in October.

Juninho’s last appearance for Celtic came at the end of February 2005, in a 5-0 Scottish Cup win away to Clyde, and he left the club at the end of the season, returning home to Brazil to play for Palmeiras.

Back on September 1, 2004, however, and settling into life at Paradise, the Celtic View sat down with the Brazilian attacker for his first exclusive interview…

On Teesside, he was known simply, and affectionately, as ‘the little fella.’ Now it’s in the green-and-white of Celtic that Oswaldo Giroldi Junior, Juninho, will once set about proving that what, at 5ft 5ins, he lacks in height, will be more than made up for in skill, vision and courage.

Speaking exclusively to the View, the 31-year-old World Cup winner said: “I used to play a lot in the street when I was back in Brazil and, even after I turned professional, I loved football so much that I would play with friends while I was on holiday.