Billy Sharp has revealed he turned down a move to Celtic twice during his playing career.
The Sheffield United hero was a target for Neil Lennon but opted against a switch to Glasgow.
Sharp, 37, who last played for LA Galaxy last season, admitted he "should have probably gone" but remained loyal to Sheffield United instead.
And another major factor in his decision was the lack of crowds with his second opportunity to sign for Celtic coming during the Covid-affected season.
Sharp - who also played for Southampton, Leeds and Scunthorpe United - told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast: "Celtic, twice. Neil Lennon was ringing me quite a lot. My wife is Scottish as well...from Edinburgh though.
"I was at T in the Park once, flying back from T in the Park and I opened up the back page of the 'paper. It was: 'Sharp is a 'Tic' and I was like: 'Wow, I didn’t know it was that close.'
"I could have signed then but then the next time was in Covid. I was in the Premier League with Sheffield United and I spoke to Chris [Wilder] about it.
"He was like: 'Look, you’re not playing at the minute, you can go, it’s your call, blah blah blah.'
"The big thing for me going to Celtic would be the Celtic-Rangers game and whatever would be fans again, a great stadium, unbelievable club - but there were no fans and I was leaving Sheffield United.
"I can't even remember [how long the contract offered was], I must've had two years left at Sheffield United and they must have offered me two years, I don't know.
"He [Lennon] was ringing me while I was in London. Maybe that’s the one that I should have probably gone. But I think my heart took over again with Sheffield United, the loyalty to Sheffield United - paid the price! Celtic was probably the one that people probably don’t know about."
