FORMER Celtic starlet Stuart Findlay has revealed it was a “no-brainer” to snub Scotland and join Newcastle.
The central defender moved to the Championship outfit in the summer after being released by the Hoops.
Scottish Under-21 star Findlay, who never featured in the Parkhead top side, knocked back offers to remain at home after loan spells at Kilmarnock, Dumbarton and Morton.
He admitted: “My time at Celtic was going a bit stale.
“I wasn’t really getting anywhere and I was coming to a crossroads about what was going to be best for my career. It was obviously time to move on.
“As soon as I heard a team like Newcastle was interested, it was an absolute no-brainer.
“You’re going to jump at the chance to play at such an illustrious club with its great history and under such an impressive manager in Rafa Benitez.
“Nobody I know would’ve knocked that offer back. Naturally, I’m glad I came.”
Benitez handed Findlay a surprise start in the club’s 3-1 win in the FA Cup third round replay against Birmingham at St James’s Park in January.
And the Glasgow-born 21-year-old impressed in defence alongside Scotland international Grant Hanley.
However, he is determined to make sure that appearance is the first of many.
Findlay said: “For a man such as Rafa to even select you for a match fills you with a lot of confidence that you didn’t have before.
“But you can’t dwell on that performance or one good day. It’s about moving on and getting there regularly, not as a one-off.”
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