Former Crystal Palace and Aston Villa midfielder Mile Jedinak admits he held talks with Scottish Premiership giants Rangers before moving to Selhurst Park on a free transfer during the summer of 2011, speaking to talkSPORT (2 November, 12.30pm).
The phrase ‘lucky escape’ comes to mind.
Because, just 12 months down the line, Rangers would find themselves embroiled in the sort of crisis Scottish football had seldom seen before, demoted to the depths of the fourth tier after sliding into administration.
And while Ally McCoist was kickstarting the Rangers fightback, beating the likes of East Stirling, Elgin City and Montrose en route to the third division title, Jedinak was bracing himself for something bigger and better south of the border.
It was he who captained Crystal Palace to Premier League promotion, via a play-off final victory over Watford.
Mile Jedinak held talks with Rangers before signing for Crystal Palace
“Good question,” Jedinak says when asked if he ever had the chance to play north of the border.
“I actually, believe it or not, went up the road (to Rangers) before I signed at Palace. Ally McCoist was in charge (at the time). But it didn’t happen. I ended up signing for Palace.
“But I went up there for a day and we had a couple of conversations.”
Jedinak, who earned 79 caps for Australia (many of those coming under now-Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou), spent five years in South London before joining Aston Villa in a £4 million deal in 2016.
The now-retired 38-year-old earns a living behind the scenes at Villa Park these days. He was appointed the club’s Loan Development Coach in 2021. Jedinak has recently been assisting caretaker Aaron Danks at Bodymoor Heath too, following the sacking of Steven Gerrard.
“He could play,” recalls Danny Murphy, who came up against Jedinak during his time at Blackburn Rovers. “Physically strong, mentally strong, (he) got them playing.
“Sometimes players have a relationship with fans that lasts for a long time. And I could sense that when I played against Palace. They loved him.”
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