Celtic icon John Hartson has claimed Rangers attempted to sign him AFTER he had played for their city rivals.
Back in 2000 the Welshman famously agreed terms to sign for The Light Blues in a £6.5million deal from Wimbledon. But the deal would collapse due to issues with Hartson’s medical with knee issues flagging up at Ibrox, before he joined Coventry City in the English Premier League. After City were relegated from the top flight, Martin O’Neill took a chance on Hartson and brought him to Celtic.
He would go on to form a formidable partnership with Henrik Larsson during his five years in Glasgow's east end, and saw off Rangers to lift three Scottish league titles ahead of their Old Firm foes. However, Hartson has now sensationally claimed he turned down David Murray's offer of a return to Scotland as he was looking for a move away from West Brom.
Back in 2007, Hartson was looking for a move away from the Hawthorns. However, he chose Norwich City as he didn't want to ruin his Celtic reputation.
When talking about joining rival clubs, Hartson told The Go Radio Football Show: "For me personally, I had a chance to go to Rangers after Celtic. Sir David Murray called me up and said 'we would like to sign you now, the medical is gone and you have had your time at Celtic'.
"I was at West Brom. I don't think I would have ever been accepted at Rangers because of my success at Celtic. The 110 goals I got for Celtic I felt I might as well go and chuck them down a river, because I would never be forgiven.
"It's a huge rivalry. I'm not knocking anybody, but for me it's like all my family grew up as Swansea supporters. I just couldn't sign for Cardiff."
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