The 19-year-old left-back says he is disturbed by the club’s decision to push him out after having fought so hard for Phunya Sele Sele last season.
“The situation here at Celtic is really confusing me. A lot of things are happening and I don’t understand how things operate here. I thought I had to show the new coach what I can do, but they have already told me that I am not in the plans for the new season.
“I now have to negotiate a settlement because I still have a year remaining on my deal. Once I have my clearance then I can look elsewhere in South Africa so that I can continue with my career since I am still young.
“I bear no grudges with anyone at the club but it is strange how things happen sometimes. To survive in South Africa, you really have to be psychologically strong otherwise you may end up not wanting to play the game,” says the defender.
Mbendje, who joined at the beginning of last season, played regularly in the first round, but gradually disappeared from the starting line-up towards the end of the season.
“At one stage I read in the newspapers that I was injured yet I wasn’t. I have no idea why some people at the club were saying such things. That’s what is so confusing.”
Seven other players, James Madidilani, Lebohang Mothibantwa, Ntokozo Sikhakhane, Jonathan Solomons, Mark Amofah, Carlo Scott and Lebohang Kukame, have already left Celtic.
