James McFadden has revealed the three times he came close to a Celtic move - and explained it was only his decision not to go once.

The Scotland legend explained that there was interest from the Parkhead club before he left Motherwell, while at Everton and when he was at Birmingham.

McFadden - speaking on Open Goal - said that when Celtic first showed transfer interest, when he was at Motherwell, there was no option to move due to the clubs failing to agree a fee.

And it was a similar story for McFadden when Celtic plotted to sign him from Everton but again a transfer offer was not agreed.

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However, McFadden claims he did turn down a move to Celtic when he left Birmingham to rejoin Everton.

The former Scotland international explained that he rejected a move to Parkhead because of a "better opportunity" at Everton and that a move to Celtic at that point "didn't feel right".

He said: "When I was younger Celtic came in for me but Motherwell never accepted the offer.

"I think they tried to sign me before I left Everton the first time before I went to Birmingham, then they tried to sign me when I was at Birmingham.

"The [clubs] never accepted the offers.

"The last time it was my decision. It just didn't feel right.

"I got offered not a better contract - not in terms of money but I got offered a better opportunity to go back to Everton when I was leaving Birmingham.

"They offered me a contract if I played so many games I would get a two-year deal at the end of it."

Glasgow Times:

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