Arsenal legend Robert Pires has revealed he came close to signing for Rangers during the Paul Le Guen era, only to opt for a big-money move to La Liga instead.
The French World Cup winner is considered one of the Gunners’ all-time greatest players after winning two Premier League titles, one of which was after an unbeaten season in 2004.
And after mesmerising English football, he almost turned out for a spell in the Scottish Premiership in his thirties, when his compatriot Le Guen came calling in 2006.
In the end, Pires decided to sign for Villarreal ans play alongside the likes of Juan Roman Riquele, but speaking via the Daily Record, he said: “In 2006 my manager spoke with someone from Rangers but I chose to go to Villarreal.
“I don’t know if it was a good choice but for me it was important because my mum is Spanish and it was important to see her son could play in La Liga.
“As a player it’s good when you receive offers from clubs such as Rangers. Everyone knows in Europe they are a very good club and especially in Scotland.
“It was an honour to receive this offer. It was at the time of Paul Le Guen. I had to make a decision and at that moment it was Spain and Villarreal.
In 2006, Pires would’ve been 32, and definitely past his best, but what sort of impact could he have had at Ibrox back then? Could he have perhaps saved Le Guen’s doomed spell?
What do you think?
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