By Mark Heys
December 20 2005

Former Bolton Wanderers favourite Alan Thompson could be about to make a move back to England in the not to distant future after his agent confirmed that there had been interest in the Celtic midfielder from south of the border. Thompson, or "Thommo" as he was affectionately known by Wanderers supporters, made 157 league appearances during a five year spell at Burnden Park which began in 1993 when he made the move from his hometown club Newcastle United as a promising 19-year old.

Initially he played as an out and out forward to cover the likes of John McGinlay, Owen Coyle and Mixu Paatelainen but reverted back to his more comfortable position on the left wing as the seasons passed.

In 1995 he scored Bolton's consolation goal in the League Cup final defeat against Liverpool at Wembley Stadium and was an integral part of the team that made it's way into the Premiership for the first time via the Play Offs.

Two years after his Wembley heroics he played a massive part in helping the club back into the Premiership as they secured the Division One championship in a record breaking season which brought Bolton's time at Burnden Park to an end.

The Geordie played just one season at the club's new Reebok Stadium home and had the distinction of scoring the first ever goal there from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in September 1997.

Bolton headed back out of the Premiership despite a spirited effort which went down to the seasons final day but Thompson looked for pastures new and was headhunted by some clubs still in the top flight such as Leeds United, Manchester United and Aston Villa.

Villa won the race and in June 1998 paid Bolton a £4 million fee for one of their prized assets but Thompson could never settle and some eighteen months or so later made the move North of the border to link up with former Wanderer Alan Stubbs at Celtic.

During his time at Parkhead so far Thompson has won a solitary England cap against Sweden and has also won the SPL title and Scottish Cup on three seperate occasions but has been in and out of favour since Gordon Strachan took over as the Bhoys manager from Martin O'Neill in 2005.

Today there has been speculation linking Thompson back to his native England and players agent Anthony McGill says that there has been an offer put to Celtic Football Club.

"There are Premiership clubs interested and I've an offer I'm taking to Celtic today," said McGill.

"I've told those interested that they have to speak to Celtic and I won't be doing anything until I'm told otherwise by Celtic. Alan wants to play football and he is happy to stay and fight for his place."