Henchoz lured to Parkhead by O’Neill

STEPHANE HENCHOZ has revealed it was Celtic manager Martin O’Neill’s powers of persuasion that convinced him to choose Parkhead over Ibrox.

In the wake of Jean-Alain Boumsong’s £8 million departure to Newcastle, Rangers manager Alex McLeish made contact with the Switzerland international who has been surplus to requirements at Liverpool since the arrival of manager Rafael Benitez.

McLeish was able to make no headway and signed another player, but Celtic persevered and the defender chose to join until the end of the season in the hope a longer contract will follow.