Celtic-daft Robert Snodgrass admits he would have loved to wear the green and white but is now content watching from the stands or afar.
The former Scotland international, who grew up within sight of Parkhead, revealed he came close to joining his boyhood club on three separate occasions during his career.
Snodgrass told Record Sport: “It came close a couple of times. It was probably more just conversations, but it did come around a few times. It came down to a few different reasons; sometimes the club I was at didn’t want to lose me.
“The love and attachment to Celtic always drove me to play a part in those talks but it never materialised for whatever political factors. I think there were three times when it was really close and two of those times I really tried. One was maybe a bit early after I’d moved.
“I sometimes felt, ‘if this never happens then it would be a tragedy!’ It just never came off. But I can’t have any regrets or complaints as I look back now as a retired pro after a good career.
“I still love watching them and cheering them on.”
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Snodgrass enjoyed a career that took him from Livingston to Leeds United, Norwich City, Hull City and West Ham before finishing at Hearts, but a move to Celtic never materialised despite interest during the reigns of Ronny Deila and Brendan Rodgers.
The 36-year-old also praised Celtic’s recent success, insisting their Double-winning campaign should not be downplayed. He said: “They found a way and that is the mark of champions. They won the Double.
“People say it was a bad season, but I don’t think there is anywhere in the world where you can win a Double, and it’s a bad season.
“It’s incredible. What a job Martin O’Neill did, along with Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Gavin Strachan and others.
“They played a massive part. There was a lot of disconnect at the club through the season, and it always feeds onto the pitch.”
