Nottingham Forest legend Gary Birtles has slaughtered new Celtic keeper Dorus de Vries for going to 'sit on his backside' by joining the Scottish champions.

Brendan Rodgers snapped up the veteran Dutch shotstopper this week and he's expected to provide competition for the No.1 jersey with Craig Gordon.

But two-time European Cup winner Birtles could not believe he swapped the Sky Bet Championship club for a move to a team like Celtic.

Birtles said: "I do understand what Forest manager Philippe Montanier was saying when he said he couldn't stand in de Vries' way because Celtic are such a big club and there's a chance of playing Champions League football.

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"But no disrespect to the Scottish Premiership, but it's probably similar to the Championship, isn't it? You would think any of the Championship sides would probably give Celtic or Rangers a run for their money.

"Without playing for your country, the Champions League is the next best thing, but how long it will last remains to be seen because it is a strong competition and when was the last time Celtic did well in it?

"There are also no guarantees that de Vries will even be Celtic's No.1, with Craig Gordon already at Parkhead.

"Why would you want to go and sit on your backside when you're already No.1 at another good club in Forest?"