Former United States goalkeeper Brad Friedel has revealed he turned down moves to both Celtic and Rangers during his career.
The former Liverpool and Tottenham stopper explained that he received contract offers from both sides of Glasgow. However, he was "drawn to the English Premier League" and opted to further his career in England.
He said: "I received contract offers from both Celtic and Rangers. Walter Smith offered me a contract at Rangers before I signed with Liverpool in 1996, and I seriously considered it. [Jackpot City Casino]
"I was ultimately drawn to the English Premier League."
Friedel also spent time training with Celtic earlier in his career and was offered the chance to move to Parkhead. He added: "Celtic offered me a deal earlier in '92 or '93 when I trained with them, but Liverpool and Newcastle were heavily recruiting me as well, so I chose the path to the Premier League.
"Celtic were in a little bit of a financial predicament back then. Rangers were well on top at the time and Liverpool were already expressing an interest, while Kevin Keegan at Newcastle was expressing an interest.
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"So I didn't take it any further than that."
Friedel went on to enjoy a distinguished Premier League career with Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham. The American also revealed that the Old Firm is the only rivalry he has witnessed that matches the intensity of Galatasaray versus Fenerbahce.
He said that visits to Old Firm matches left a lasting impression on him as he reflected on some of football's most passionate rivalries.
He said: "If you can play in the Galatasaray vs Fenerbahce derby, keep your cool and perform, you can play in any atmosphere in the world.
"In terms of intensity and atmosphere, the only fixture I've seen match it was Celtic vs Rangers, which I went to a few times when I had a pal playing for Rangers.
"It can get very intense inside and outside the ground."
