Ferguson certain he had McGeady

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was "certain" Celtic and Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady would sign for him as a youngster.

Ferguson will plot to stop McGeady when United come up against the Hoops in their Champions League Group E double-header, the second time in three seasons the two clubs have been paired together at this stage of the competition.

Ferguson - back in Scotland to officially open a new youth centre for the Harmony Row Youth Club, the Govan team he started playing football with as a 10-year-old - is well aware of the abilities of the Scottish midfielder.

"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."

Ferguson believes Celtic's home record in the Champions League gives them a "terrific chance" of making the last 16 of the competition for the third season in a row.

United begin the defence of the trophy they won by beating Chelsea on penalties last season when they face Villarreal at Old Trafford on Wednesday, while the Scottish Champions welcome Danish side Aalborg in the other Group E fixture that night.

Celtic lost 3-2 at Old Trafford in the group stages two seasons ago but beat the Barclays Premier League champions 1-0 at Parkhead thanks to a Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick.

Ferguson was mindful of that dramatic night in Glasgow, and Celtic's record of having lost only one out of their last nine group games at Parkhead, when he said: "I think Celtic have a terrific chance.

"I think their home record over the last few years gives them a chance; there is no question about that.

"They are probably in the top four or five clubs in Europe in terms of their home record.

"Anyone going to Celtic Park now is saying, 'You've got to beat that atmosphere, the energy they spend in their games'.

"So there are a lot of plus points for them in that way."