10 Players Who Turned Down Big Moves To Join Newcastle

3. David Ginola - Celtic

Looking back, the decision to go to Scotland and play European football every season and probably be made to look like the greatest player in the world by Scotland's inferior defenders, or to come to Tyneside and try and make it in one of the most taxing leagues in the world shouldn't have been too hard. And for David Ginola it did almost gothe way you'd expect it to, as he spoke at length to Celtic manager Tommy Burns before deciding that he needed to be "absolutely certain" about his footballing future and choosing instead to go to Newcastle. Even after the move, Ginola admitted that he'd love to have tasted the atmosphere of an Old Firm championship decider, and implied that he might have regrets about not joining Burns. Inevitably, when the Frenchman decided to sign on with Kevin Keegan instead, he became public enemy number one at Celtic Park and was booed when the two sides met in pre-season:

"I know the fans shouted and whistled at me when I played against Celtic, but that did not bother me. It was a normal reaction to a player choosing one club over theirs. But I like the Celtic fans. I like their passion and love for their club. "I thought long and hard about moving to Celtic in the summer. Tommy Burns is a good guy and we spoke a lot about very many things. But like all coaches, he told me only the good things about Celtic and Scottish football! In the end, I had to be absolutely certain about where I wanted to play my football and I decided that the English Premiership was the best place for me."

Still, he does admit he made the right choice:

"I have no regrets. The people of Newcastle and the club are wonderful."