Former Hearts and Rangers winger David Templeton has revealed how a late approach from Neil Lennon almost changed his career, before a warning from Hearts helped convince him to reject a potential move to Celtic.

Templeton was preparing to complete his transfer from Tynecastle to Rangers on the final day of the August 2012 transfer window when Celtic made an unexpected attempt to sign him.

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Despite the considerable difference between the clubs’ circumstances, Templeton ultimately signed for Rangers.

Speaking on the STV Radio Football Podcast, the former winger explained how close he came to taking a different path.

“It came about on the last day of the August window.

“I was at Murray Park until about two in the morning trying to get it all sorted.

“What made it even weirder is that when I was sat outside, my agent got a phonecall from Neil Lennon about potentially wanting to go there. The full thing was bizarre. I think I’m allowed to speak about it? I’m not sure.”

Templeton explained that Celtic’s approach involved waiting until his Hearts contract expired before moving to Parkhead the following summer.

However, the uncertainty surrounding such an arrangement made him reluctant to commit.

“They phoned and said they wanted me to wait out my contract then go to Celtic in the summer. I said ‘but what if I break my leg tomorrow? You wouldn’t sign me.’ So we had this discussion and it ended up that I went to Rangers.”

The possibility of playing Champions League football for Celtic was appealing, but Templeton faced another complication.

He claims Hearts made it clear that rejecting the Rangers transfer could have serious consequences for his remaining time at the club.

Templeton revealed that Hearts’ financial difficulties were an important factor in his decision.

“I was also told by Hearts that if I didn’t sign for Rangers, I wouldn’t play for them again as they really needed the money. I was in a position where if I didn’t sign for Rangers I’d go back to Hearts and potentially not play, maybe other people don’t get paid because they were struggling financially.”

That left Templeton weighing up the prospect of joining Celtic a year later against securing an immediate transfer to Rangers.

There was also the possibility of spending the final year of his Hearts contract without regular football.

Templeton admitted Celtic’s position made the approach difficult to dismiss.

“Of course, I was tempted Celtic were in Champions League at the time and they were in the top flight, Rangers had just went down.

“It was something that you did think about but I’d have had to stay at Hearts until the end of the season and Hearts were going through a difficult time.”

He had already visited the club’s training facilities and spoken to the manager, leaving him convinced that he was wanted.

“Obviously with Rangers, I went in and saw the facilities, the club and spoke to the manager and I knew how much I was wanted. It was a no-brainer.”

Templeton completed his move to Rangers on 31 August 2012, ending the possibility of joining Celtic when his Hearts contract expired.

The winger went on to spend four years at Ibrox, while Lennon continued his first spell as Celtic manager, overseeing the club’s Champions League campaign that included a memorable victory over Barcelona later in 2012.