Thompson fought back from a car crash, and a broken neck, to make it into Newcastle's first team. A remarkable story in itself. But his determination to get into the team ... and staying there ... brought him to loggerheads with then manager Kevin Keegan. What could have been a magic Newcastle career didn't happen, and Thompson moved on.
He has won many medals, been capped by England, but a fall out with Celtic boss Gordon Strachan csaw him surprisingly join the Championship strugglers.
The 33-year-old, who has scored 37 goals in 158 appearances for Celtic.