Olivier Giroud has opened up on why he decided against joining Celtic in 2010.
The Chelsea striker is set to remain in London next season as he closes in on 100 caps for France.
But the former Arsenal star he almost signed for the Hoops when he decided to leave Ligue 2 side Tours.
However, he chose to sign for Montpellier instead before leaving for the Gunners two years later.
Giroud said: "Yes, I had contact with Celtic in 2010. I could have played at one of the most magnificent atmospheres in the world at Celtic Park.
"It would also have given me a springboard towards the English Premier League, Middlesbrough, in the Championship, were also interested.
"But I chose to sign for Montpellier for three reasons.
"I wanted to play in Ligue 1 before leaving France. I had never played a Ligue 1 match before signing for Montpellier.
"Secondly, my agents advised me to sign for Montpellier even though they would have made more money if I had signed for Celtic.
"Money has been important in my career, I am not playing football for glory, but it has never been my main aim and that's also why I preferred to move to Montpellier.
"And thirdly, Montpellier's late owner, Louis Nicollin, convinced me not to go to Scotland and so I signed for him instead."
