Robson: Celtic wanted Shearer

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson has confirmed he received enquiries from Martin O’Neill about the availability of striker Alan Shearer in the summer.

The former England captain, who will retire from playing at the end of the season, was seen as the potential big name to replace Henrik Larsson at Parkhead.

But both Robson and chairman Freddie Shepherd refused to sanction any move for the forward.

Robson told the Sunday Mail: “Martin was on the phone to me to ask about the situation with Shearer. He wanted to know if we would let him go.

“I told Martin I would mention it to my chairman but said I thought he had no chance of landing Alan.

“I thought it was a big enough story to tell my chairman about but he said to forget it. He wasn’t for selling Alan and I felt the same way. So it never got past first base.

“Alan will want to finish his career in the black and white and retire at the end of the season.

“He’s said it is what he plans to do and once he has made a decision he never goes back on it.

“I can understand why Martin would have wanted Alan to join Celtic. He is a leader and a tough guy but it was just a non-starter.”

But Robson also admitted he had been keen to take Larsson to Tyneside after his departure from the Hoops.

However, the Magpies boss was warned that a deal for the Sweden forward was already done in January.

Robson added: “We made enquiries about Larsson but were told: ‘Forget about it, don’t even try because it’s already signed, sealed and delivered elsewhere’.

“That was in January but nobody told us where he was going. They kept it so clever, I’ll tell you.

“He would have been good enough to come to the Premiership and play for us and score goals but it wasn’t to be.”