Martin O'Neill has downplayed long-standing whispers he was previously lined-up to become the Liverpool manager in the early 2000s when he was in charge at Celtic.
After hanging up his boots as a player, O'Neill coached Wycombe Wanderers, Leicester City, Aston Villa and Sunderland - among others - during a stellar managerial career that also saw him have notable success north of the border. O'Neill won three Scottish titles and four other trophies between 2001 and 2005.
He also masterminded a famous European win for Celtic over Liverpool in 2003 as the Glasgow side went on to reach the UEFA Cup (as it was then known) showpiece before eventually losing against Porto in a five-goal thriller. It was around that time O'Neill to Anfield rumours were at fever pitch.
