Rangers allegedly tried to bring Robert Pires to Ibrox in the summer of 2006 when he left Arsenal.
However, the one-time World Cup and European Championship winner stated he snubbed the move to join the Light Blues as he chose to head to Spain and turn out for Villarreal with his mum in mind.
“It was an honour to receive this offer,” he said.
“Everyone in Europe knows Rangers are a very good club but I chose to go to Villarreal at that time, mainly because my mum is Spanish.”
Pires had managed to win two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and was a runner-up in the Champions League during his time at Arsenal.
The Verdict:
Although this story will have been a case of ‘what could have been’, Pires may have been an excellent addition for Le Guen’s Rangers that season.
The Light Blues ultimately ended that campaign in 2nd place in the Scottish Premier League, however, it saw the French manager being replaced by Walter Smith in January, having been at the club just short of a year.
There is no doubt that Pires was a talented footballer who had won a number of football’s biggest accolades, however, it will be anyone’s guess to what he may have been able to bring to Ibrox.
Rangers fans – thoughts?
About the Author
