Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he was disappointed to miss out on Celtic wing star Aiden McGeady.

"We had him as a kid at Manchester," the former Aberdeen boss said.

"He's a talented young footballer.

"We thought we were certain to sign him. But his heart ruled his head, and he signed for Celtic.

"It's difficult to say (if he would have broken through at United).

"But he came down two or three times when he was 14 or 15, and we had his mother and father down to discuss joining United.

"We thought we had it more or less buttoned up. But I think a Scottish lad - you can class him as a Scottish player - who has a chance to go to Celtic or Rangers will go.

"We have to wait until they are 16, whereas Celtic and Rangers can get them at 14. That is always the difficulty."