Ireland legend Shay Given wants to finish his career with Celtic – and close out some unfinished business.

The former Irish star has admitted in his newspaper column that he would love the chance to play for the Bhoys.

Given signed as a teenager for Celtic but he left for Blackburn Rovers without ever playing for the first team at Parkhead.

Now he has admitted to the Irish Sun that he would love to follow Robbie Keane’s lead and play for his boyhood club before he retires.

Now at Aston Villa, Given said: “I never say never in football and it’s no secret that I would love to play for Celtic.

“I don’t know if that will be possible financially in the future and I am a Villa player.

“But the fact that I never played even a minute for the first team at Parkhead when I was there as a kid has always been a disappointment.

“Maybe that could change some day, who knows?”

 Given is also backing Celtic to make up for their Champions League disappointment against Barcelona when the teams meet again.

He said: “Parkhead is the place to be on Wednesday week. It will be something special and a great night for the club, the fans and for manager Neil Lennon.

“Neil has been criticised for his tactics in Spain but he did what was right for Celtic against the best team in the world and the fans would have had no complaints about his tactics if they had held on for the draw.

“Barca are the yardstick for all other teams to measure themselves against as the Bhoys did on Tuesday and will do so again in Glasgow on November 7th.

“That’s a fascinating tie now and for two reasons. For a start, Celtic were so close to a result in the Nou Camp on Tuesday that they will really believe they can rattle Barca when they bring it all back home.

“The second reason why I would be confident of a one-off upset is the fact that the game is in Glasgow.

“There will be no better stadium to play in that night and no better atmosphere.”