With Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse set to return from the African Cup of Nations, Best is set to find playing time limited.
The Irish international was allowed to speak to the Glasgow club, but was unsure about the move up to Scotland.
Apparently he would rather stay and fight for his place on Tyneside than play in the "two-team Scottish League" (the trophy is pictured below, currently held by Celtic) that Alan Pardew describes as "a waste of time".
Earlier today, Best had been linked with a loan move to Wolves, which I'm sure was a far better prospect.
But Pardew doesn't want him on loan in the Premiership.
