Former Celtic Target Rejected Martin O’Neill Offer and Insisted He’d Rather Join Rangers

Former Rangers cult hero Nacho Novo has opened up about the time he rejected an approach from legendary Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, revealing that he always felt destined to play for Rangers rather than their bitter Glasgow rivals.

Novo, who became a fan favourite during his successful spell at Rangers, recently recalled how both sides of the Old Firm were interested in signing him after he impressed in Scottish football. At the time, O’Neill was in charge of Celtic and was keen to bring the Spanish attacker to Parkhead as he looked to strengthen his squad. However, Novo had other ideas and quickly decided where his future lay.

The former striker explained that Celtic arranged a meeting with him and attempted to convince him that a move to Parkhead would be the best step for his career. According to Novo, club officials assured him that the visit would be private and away from media attention. Yet when he arrived, cameras and journalists were waiting, something that immediately left him uncomfortable.

While that experience did not help Celtic’s chances, Novo admitted there were deeper reasons behind his decision. He already had connections with several Rangers players and felt a much stronger pull towards Ibrox. The Spaniard had developed friendships with footballers associated with Rangers and had long admired the atmosphere surrounding the club.

One memory in particular stood out. Novo recalled attending a Rangers versus Celtic Scottish Cup Final and finding himself surrounded by Rangers supporters. The passion, noise and emotion generated by the Ibrox faithful made a lasting impression on him. From that moment, he felt a natural bond with Rangers and believed that if he was going to make a major move in Scotland, it would be to the blue side of Glasgow rather than the green side.

His comments underline just how competitive the transfer battle between Celtic and Rangers can be. During O’Neill’s hugely successful reign at Celtic, the club regularly competed with Rangers for the best talent available in Scotland. O’Neill transformed Celtic into a dominant force, winning multiple trophies and leading the club to the UEFA Cup Final in 2003.

Despite O’Neill’s reputation and Celtic’s success at the time, Novo remained firm in his stance. Reports surrounding the transfer saga suggested that he effectively made it clear he preferred the prospect of joining Rangers if he was to continue his career in Scottish football. That conviction ultimately shaped the next chapter of his career.

The decision proved to be an inspired one. After signing for Rangers, Novo enjoyed six memorable seasons at Ibrox. He scored 70 goals for the club and helped Rangers win several major honours, including a Scottish Premiership title and League Cup success during his first campaign. His energy, commitment and knack for scoring important goals ensured that he became one of the most popular foreign players to wear the Rangers shirt.

Novo’s story remains one of the more fascinating transfer tales involving the Old Firm. Celtic had a manager in O’Neill who was renowned for identifying talent and convincing players to join his ambitious project. Yet in this case, the attraction of Rangers proved too strong.

Looking back, Novo has no regrets about the choice he made. His achievements at Rangers cemented his place in the club’s modern history, while Celtic were left wondering what might have been had O’Neill managed to persuade him to cross the city divide.

In the end, the Spaniard’s preference for Rangers over Celtic became one of the defining decisions of his career. It not only shaped his legacy in Scottish football but also added another intriguing chapter to the long-running rivalry between Glasgow’s two biggest clubs.