Spurs snub was right for me - Beattie

Celtic’s latest teenage sensation Craig Beattie claims he was right to turn down a move to Tottenham in the summer to stay at Parkhead.

The 19-year-old illustrated just why the London club were desperate to prize him away and why he has been tipped to become the eventual replacement for Henrik Larsson with a superb goalscoring display in last night’s 2-0 CIS Insurance Cup win at Partick.

It was made all the more impressive as it was his first senior start and he felt that it vindicated his decision to sign a new contract for Martin O’Neill.

“Tottenham are a massive club,” said Beattie. “But there is no bigger club than Celtic.

“There was only one way I was going to leave this club and that was if they didn’t want me, but they showed that they wanted me and I was happy to stay.

“It was very enjoyable, especially because it was my first competitive start for the club and I enjoyed my goal.

“Hopefully there will be plenty more to celebrate in my career at Celtic.”