Both sides of the Old Firm were keen to land Brad Friedel before he went onto become a household name down south
Brad Friedel of Blackburn Rovers looks dejected after conceding a goal to Celtic's Henrik Larsson the UEFA Cup in 2002(Image: Mirrorpix)
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Brad Friedel has revealed he knocked back the chance to join both Celtic and Rangers before the turn of the century.
And that's because the former USA goalkeeper says he was ultimately swayed by the lure and riches of the English Premier League.
After emerging as top young prospect at US college side UCLA Bruins in California, Friedel won his first senior cap for his country in 1992 and was part of the USMNT squad at both the 1992 Summer Olympics and the 1994 World Cup.
Ahead of the latter tournament - which was hosted by the USA - Friedel left UCLA Bruins in order to try and forge a career in Europe.
On two separate occasions, the shot-stopper had agreed to join Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest and Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United but on both occasions the transfer fell through because he was unable to obtain a work permit.
In August 1993, The Ohio native also spent time on trial at Celtic, who were then managed by Arsenal, Juventus and Republic of Ireland hero Liam Brady.
Two years later, Friedel launched his professional career with Turkish giants Galatasaray and after a lone season back in the States with Columbus Crew, was then a target for Walter Smith's Rangers before he landed a big move to Liverpool.
And speaking to Jackpot City Casino, the 55-year-old - who went onto rack up 450 Premier League appearance for the Reds, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham - has lifted the lid on his close transfer shaves with both sides of the Old Firm.
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.
"I was ultimately drawn to the English Premier League. 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.
"I was attracted to the English Premier League over the Scottish Premier League.
"That had no reflection on Walter and as it turned out it was better I did that 'cause shortly after Walter left Rangers and went to Everton. So he came down to Merseyside anyway.
Friedel - who is part of a consortium involving Spartans owner Scott Davidson to buy EFL League Two outfit Shrewsbury Town - continued: "At Celtic, I was offered a contract in 1992 or 1993. I went over and I trained with Celtic a little bit and I was offered a deal at the time.
"They were in a little bit of a financial predicament back then.
Brad Friedel was capped 82 times by the US and featured at two World Cups(Image: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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"Rangers were well on top at the time and Liverpool were already expressing an interest and Kevin Keegan at Newcastle was expressing an interest. So I didn't take it any further than that."
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