Former Celtic goalkeeper details struggle with alcoholism, saying he would ‘pretend to buy bread in the morning’ so he could ‘down two or three beers’

A former Celtic goalkeeper has revealed that he struggled with alcoholism throughout his career, which saw him ‘pretend to buy bread in the morning’ so he could ‘down two or three beers’. 

Logan Bailly, 39, represented Belgium at international level – winning eight caps for his country between 2009 and 2010 – as well as spending two years at Celtic that saw him make four first-team appearances for the Hoops. 

Now, as a player at Belgian side Virton, which are based in Luxembourg, Bailly has opened up about battling an addiction to alcohol off the field. 

In a candid interview with Belgian media outlet Sudinfo, he said: ‘Let’s say it like it is – I was an alcoholic.

‘I reached a stage where I needed a dose from the first thing in the morning. I used to try to hide my drinking, but it is impossible to hide.

‘In the mornings I would go out on the pretence of going to the baker’s to get some bread.

In a candid interview with Belgian media outlet Sudinfo , he said: ‘Let’s say it like it is – I was an alcoholic

‘But instead I would go and sink two or three beers.

Fortunately, Bailly was able to overcome his addiction thanks to the Vie Libre alcohol treatment programme based in Oupeye, near his home town Liege.

He continued: ‘The turning point came when I looked at myself in the mirror and told myself, ”Logan, that isn’t you.”

‘I had been wrecking my health for years. That wasn’t the image I wanted to give to my loved ones.

‘The thing that makes me happiest now is seeing the joy in my children’s eyes. I am 39 years old now – and at the start of a new way of life.’