Former Celtic goalkeeper Ben Siegrist has taken aim at the club’s hierarchy, accusing them of mishandling his departure from Parkhead.

The Swiss shot-stopper, who now plays his football for Serie A side Genoa on loan from FC Rapid of Romania, claims boardroom inaction blocked two separate moves away from the club, leaving him frustrated and short of game time.

Siegrist joined Celtic on a free from Dundee United in 2022 and was seen as one of the Premiership’s top goalkeepers at the time. However, he made just two appearances in green and white before his move abroad – the same number he has managed so far in Genoa colours.

Speaking on The Bondi Podcast, Siegrist recalled:

“I had an offer from a team that I was willing to go to. They said yes initially, then they changed their mind. Then I was stuck with the transfer window shutting. I felt like I needed to play to get my confidence back.

“In January… I had another team going for a league in another country, a top division, playing European football. I was on holiday, actually. Everything was agreed. Then I found out that Celtic hadn’t responded to that team in four weeks.

“I did everything, pushed everything. I spoke to Stevie [Woods]. He said, ‘In January, you can go’. I spoke to the new team, spoke to everyone. It was a done deal. I was ready to pack up. Some people on the Celtic board just didn’t respond to any of the enquiries from the other team.”

Siegrist’s 18-month loan at Genoa runs until next summer.

Celtic let Scott Bain go this summer, with Vini Sinisalo playing back up to Kasper Schmeichel. Ross Doohan returned to Celtic as the number 3, and will see limited game time. That’s the role that Benji Siegrist played, with Scott bain ahead of him in the pecking order.

When Joe Hart was sent off against Livi, it was the now Falkirk ‘keeper who came on to replace him.

Scott Bain will make his Celtic Park return on Friday, when Celtic meet the Bairns in the League Cup.