Man City starlet Celina wanted international assurances

Bersant Celina: Wanted assurances with Norway

Bersant Celina: Heading to Holland on loan

Manchester City starlet Bersant Celina wanted assurances over his playing time for Norway, according to the Norwegian FA.

The 19-year-old, who made his debut from the bench for City against Norwich in the FA Cup last month, recently pledged his international future to Kosovo after reports that he was attempting to negotiate his own playing time with the Norway national team.

Celina, who was born in Prizren in Kosovo, moved to Norway when he was two years old and has played for Norway at under-15, under-16, under-17 and under-21 level.

The midfielder, who signed a two-year scholarship with Manchester City’s academy at the age of 15 and who recently claimed an assist after Sergio Aguero nodded home his cross in the defeat by Leicester, made an appearance for Kosovo’s full national team in 2014 and he has since announced that he has turned his back on Norway.

Yngve Haavik, a spokesman for the FA, told Norwegian paper VG: “What we can say is that it almost became something like a negotiation regarding playing time and we can’t operate that way. There is no doubt that we wanted Celina to play for Norway, but that desire has to be mutual, and there can’t be any conditions on playing time.

“It is the national coach who has to decide every time who starts the game and who comes on. I think everyone realises that.”

His father Eduar Celina told the paper his son could not make a difference unless he was playing regularly.

“Bersant was willing to play and make his contribution to the Norwegian country and the national team,” he said.

“But he could not do that by sitting in the stands or by playing just three minutes. We will cheer on the national team, though, and wish them all the best.”