It is common knowledge that Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer rejected overtures from Manchester United on several occasions - but now the former England striker has revealed he turned down the opportunity to join Celtic. Twice. Shearer scored 206 goals for the Magpies between 1996 and 2006 having signed from Blackburn Rovers for a then world-record fee of £15 million. Newcastle held off competition from Man United to secure Shearer's signature in 1996, but while he was back on Tyneside then-Celtic boss Martin O'Neill tried to coax him to Glasgow twice. O'Neill won three Scottish Premier League titles, three Scottish Cups, a Scottish League Cup and reached the UEFA Cup final in 2002-03 while in charge of Celtic between 2000 and 2005 - and he wanted Shearer to add the finishing touch to his already-impressive squad. But on Wednesday Shearer explained while opening a new Speedflex gym in Aberdeenshire that he rejected then-Celtic boss O'Neill's overtures to take him north of the border:
"I actually spoke to Martin O'Neill twice about moving to Celtic a few years ago when I thought I might be leaving Newcastle. "What if? Nah, I never look back. I lived my dream and I was a lucky lad."
Interestingly, Shearer's testimonial on May 11, 2006, was played against Celtic - and he hobbled on to the field in injury time to score the winning penalty as the Magpies emerged 3-2 victors. CLICK HERE to read the 9 reasons why Newcastle's most-famous No 9 chose the Magpies over Newcastle United.For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
