Irish international goalkeeper Shay Given has stated that he is happy to stay at Newcastle United despite the supposed interest from Celtic.

Given began his career at Parkhead but his time there was less than happy. He ended up leaving and turning his career around and now he is rightly rated as one of the best English Premiership goalkeepers.

Shay reckons that he has heard nothing from Celtic, who are said to be ready to table a £2m offer to bring him back to Scotland.

News that Newcastle manager Bobby Robson is trying to bring out of favour Barcelona goalkeeper Vitor Baia to St. James' Park could hasten Shay decision to jump ship.

Robson managed Baia at Barcelona and he is not trying to bring him to the club as third choice goalkeeper. Shay has started the season on fire and was unlucky not to figure in Mick McCarthy's plans last Saturday against Holland.

He suffered the frustration of being a spectator for the game after Alan Kelly got the shout to start and Dean Kiely got the place on the bench.

Shay said: "As far as I know there has been no contact between Newcastle and Celtic but I have been out of the country for the last week. I have been away with Ireland and I have not spoken to anyone at either club.

"I have not even spoken to my agent but of course I am aware of Celtic's supposed interest. Until I hear otherwise I am a Newcastle United player and I am still in negotiations over a new contract."

But those negotiations are believed to have stalled because Given is unhappy with the terms of the new five-year deal offered by United.

With his current contract due to expire next summer, Given would be free to talk to other clubs in the New Year if a new deal is not forthcoming.