Croatia Under 21 defender Filip Uremovich claims he almost signed for Celtic last month.
The Hoops have been linked with a move for several defenders throughout the summer and have so far brought in Christopher Jullien, Boli Bolingoli and Hatem Abd Elhamed.
But Neil Lennon came close to sealing a surprise transfer with Russian side Rubin Kazan for 22-year-old former Dinamo Zagreb talent Uremovich - according to the player.
Lennon eventually signed Jullien from Toulouse for £7million.
But Uremovich said: "I had the option to move to Celtic this summer, but the transfer did not happen.
"I don't look at it as a bad thing because it meant I'm staying at Rubin and I am very happy here.
"The main reason I talked to Celtic was because of the attraction of them playing in the Champions League.
"But the reason the deal didn't take place was because they went out and signed another player instead.
"I'm not bitter about it because I've had a good season so far and there is a really good atmosphere at the club."
Uremovich, who also had a spell with Slovenian side Olimpija Ljubljana, has two years left of a four year contract in Russia.
Lennon remains in the market for defenders and was spotted watching Partizan Belgrade teenager Strahinja Pavlovic against Connah's Quay Nomads in the Europa League last month.
