‘They wanted me’ – Former Rangers star reveals Celtic contract offer before showdown Ibrox talks

David Templeton disclosed that, just before he had confrontation talks with Rangers manager Ally McCoist in 2012, Celtic made a last-ditch effort to entice him to Parkhead.

After joining the Ibrox club from the Jambos, the former winger for Hearts, Gers, and Hamilton remembered getting ready for a meeting with McCoist at Rangers’ Murray Park training base when he got a last-minute call from their fierce opponents.

At the age of 35, Templeton has shared his thoughts on how things may have gone differently during a last-ditch attempt by Celtic officials to persuade him to stay at Hearts for the balance of his contract before departing in the summer.

Instead, the one-time Scotland youth international opted for Rangers in August. But the transfer revelation left Open Goal host Si Ferry shocked as he detailed how the deal himself and old Hearts team mate Ryan McGowan were both wanted by the Govan outfit – with the latter rejecting them in favour of chasing a lucrative deal in China. Templeton explained: “They tried to sell me and Ryan McGowan to Rangers. Both of us were at (the

training area). Gowser must have known, because he left for China six months later, earning around £20,000 a week. He told Coisty that he wasn’t signing because of this.

“I got to know the gaffer. He was clever and entertaining. It seems like you’ve spoken to him, and to be honest, he’s hilarious. I encountered him at the practice area. Actually, while I was sitting outside, Celtic gave me a call. They preferred that I hold out for the conclusion of the season as per my contract.”

Ferry then inquired, “Had you already agreed with Ally McCoist?” as a result. Templeton answered, “I was outdoors. I hadn’t even gone in to talk to the gaffer at that point.”