Bhoys made Shearer move

Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson has revealed that Celtic attempted to take Alan Shearer to Parkhead as Henrik Larsson's replacement.

Robson told Bhoys boss Martin O'Neill to direct his enquiries to Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd, but was far from surprised when Shepherd dismissed the move outright.

Robson was quick to point out he also wanted to keep the former England captain at St James Park, and added he felt sure that the player himself wanted to sign off his illustrious career with his hometown club.

"Martin was on the phone to me to ask about the situation with Shearer," Robson told the Sunday Mail. "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."

Robson went on to confirm that he had wanted to take Larsson to Newcastle, but was informed by Celtic that the Swede had already tied up his transfer from Parkhead last January.

"We made enquiries about Larsson but were told: 'Forget about it, don't even try because it's already signed, sealed and delivered elsewhere'," he continued.

"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."