Rangers missed out on signing Robert PIres back in 2006.
Former Arsenal winger Robert Pires has told the Daily Mail that he nearly signed for Rangers in 2006 – and hailed current Gers boss Steven Gerrard.
Pires was an Arsenal legend following a 2000 move from Marseille, as he scored 62 goals in 189 games, winning two Premier League titles and two FA Cups in the process.
In 2006 though, Arsenal allowed the French international to leave at the end of his contract, due to their policy of not keeping played over 30 for the long term.
Pires moved on to Villarreal, spending four years with the Spanish outfit before ending his career with the likes of Aston Villa and Goa.
Now though, Pires has revealed to the Daily Mail that Rangers wanted to sign him in 2006, which was the first summer of Paul Le Guen’s time in charge of the club.
Le Guen was familiar with fellow Frenchman Pires, and made an ambitious attempt to lure him to Ibrox, but the winger chose Villarreal instead – and given Le Guen’s short-lived tenure in Glasgow, it probably was the right chose.
“In 2006, my manager spoke with someone from Rangers but I chose to go to Villarreal,” said Pires. “I don’t know if it was a good choice, but for me it was important because my mum is Spanish. When you are a player it’s good when you receive offers from clubs such as Rangers because everyone in Europe knows they are a very good club and especially in Scotland. It was an honour to receive this offer,” he added.
Pires was also asked about current Rangers boss having battled against each other in the Premier League, as seen below, and the Frenchman added that he feels Gerrard deserves this success, and is on his way to matching his playing career with the Gers.
“I know Steven Gerrard is doing well for Rangers and I’m happy for him because he deserves it. He was a great player and now he tries to contribute towards being a good manager with Rangers,” said Pires.
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