STUART FINDLAY: NEWCASTLE SURPRISE, CELTIC MISTAKE?

FORMER Celtic centre-back Stuart Findlay has expressed surprise since joining Newcastle on a free transfer.

The 20-year-old defender spent last season on loan at Kilmarnock before being released by the Hoops at the end of the campaign.

Findlay said: “When I came here, I was shocked how much the immediate city are just in love with the club.

“At Celtic, in Glasgow, it’s very much a divided city between Celtic and Rangers (sic).

“I’ve never experienced an atmosphere like this, where everyone’s singing from the same hymn sheet and they’re all rooting for the one club.

“To have that many passionate fans of a club is a special thing.

“I don’t think I’ve had a day I’ve walked out and not seen a Newcastle strip yet. I’m living with a good friend of mine who’s Newcastle daft.

“As soon as he heard I was signing, he was willing to let me stay there as long as I wanted!”

Findlay joined the Parkhead outfit in 2013 and has also had loan periods with Morton and Dumbarton.

St James’s Park boss Rafa Benitez has put him straight into his first team squad as the Tyneside club aim for a quickfire return to the Premier League after last season’s relegation from the top flight.

Have Celtic made an error in releasing the player?

Time will tell.