NEWCASTLE UNITED pariah Craig Bellamy last night found himself wanted again as he tied up a loan deal with Scottish champions Celtic.

But the bitterness between the Wales striker and the Magpies showed no signs of abating with the club shunning the chance to wish him well at Parkhead.

On a day when Olivier Bernard moved to Southampton the Magpies issued a message wishing the Frenchman well on the south coast, but then failed to relay a similar communication to their erstwhile Welsh star.

The 25-year-old snubbed a £6m switch to Birmingham yesterday morning, and last night admitted the main reason for rejecting Steve Bruce was that he was not yet ready for a permanent move away from St James' Park.

He said: "I must admit I am still emotionally attached to Newcastle. I didn't really want to leave Newcastle. I love the club.

"I spoke to Steve Bruce at Birmingham and it was just what I needed to do. He knew I was finding it hard.

"I was getting my head round not playing for Newcastle again. But when a club like Celtic are interested you have to take notice.

"I have just got to get my head down and play some good football as best as I can for Celtic and try and win the league and the cup.

"When I knew Celtic were in for me they were the only team I wanted to play for.''

"I've been to an Old Firm game and that was incredible. I'm not nave - I know what this club is about.

"I think everyone in football knows what this club is about - this a massive football club.

"I think the first home game - if I'm picked - is an Old Firm derby.

"This is a great football club for me at this moment. I just hope I can do this club proud."

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill was alerted to the former Coventry forward's intention to snub Blues boss Bruce on Sunday night and immediately put together a package to try to bring him to Parkhead.

But O'Neill last warned the fiery striker there are enough big characters in the Celtic dressing room to bring him down to size when necessary.

"He has that reputation, no doubt about it, but we'll have to take that on," said O'Neill. "I'm sure if he scores a few goals nobody will talk about that.

"There are one or two big players here, and I don't mean bigger than Craig physically because most people are, but lads who can give it out as well. So he won't have it all his own way in the dressing room.

"Last season we lost the likes of Henrik Larsson, but we want to go and play big clubs like AC Milan and Barcelona so we want to be prepared.

"Whatever things are going to be questioned about Craig Bellamy, to be perfectly honest ability is not one of them."

Bellamy has signed a short-term deal until the end of the season, when the Bhoys will have first refusal on the player.

Bellamy may still harbour hopes that he can somehow resume his career at Newcastle come May, when he will probably be able to boast something his Magpies team-mates won't have - winners' medals.

A friendly face in Wales team-mate John Hartson proved enough to persuade Bellamy to head north of the border.

However, his move could spell bad news for another former North-East favourite, Juninho.

The Brazilian has become something of a misfit since moving from Middlesbrough in the summer, and is likely to fall further down the pecking order with Bellamy's arrival.

Bellamy was told by Graeme Souness he would not be picked after he accused his manager of lying following a row over the player 'feigning' an injury before last month's Barclays Premiership match at Arsenal.

Birmingham attempted to broker a loan deal after the Welshman refused a permanent move but Souness and chairman Freddy Shepherd refused to sanction a temporary move to an English Premiership club.

Bellamy wasn't the only player heading out of Tyneside last night with Bernard signing a five-month deal with Southampton for a fee of around £400,000.

The former Lyon defender ended his protracted contract stand-off with the Magpies by joining Harry Redknapp at St Mary's.

Saints assistant boss Jim Smith said: "Bernard is a quality left-sided player who has been pretty much first-choice while he has been at Newcastle.

"He has had a fall-out over his contract up there and has become available.

He is a player Harry has always admired.

"You can't have too many quality players and when Harry sees one that has come for virtually nothing, he is always interested."