The former striker was recently called up to play a team of Rangers legends because of another game featuring the Ibrox boss, Steven Gerrard.
Kevin Phillips has revealed he came close to joining Old Firm rivals Rangers and Celtic as a player.
The now-retired goalscorer told Talksport on Thursday he turned down permanent and loan moves to Rangers and Celtic respectively, in favour of staying in the Premier League.
And he later admitted that the atmosphere he experienced at a recent legends game involving a team of ex- Rangers players made part of him regret having failed to make the move.
“They turned (the game, which was supposed to feature a team of ex-Liverpool players) into an ex-Premier League legends versus Rangers legends game,” he recalled on Jim White’s mid-morning show. “Believe it or not, 8,500 supporters turned up at Blackpool – and it was 8,500 Rangers supporters! I have to say they were fantastic on the day. There was a big smell of alcohol in the stadium but that added to the atmosphere and it was a great day.
“Some fantastic players turned up, we lost the game 4-3. But for me, having not played up in Scotland – came close a couple of times – that kind of gave me an idea of what it’s like to play up in Scotland for Rangers.”
Asked whether it was Rangers or Celtic he could have joined, Phillips replied: “Both actually, to go on loan to Celtic and then to go and sign for Rangers when Big Eck (Alex McLeish) was in charge. It came close but I opted to stay in the Premier League at the time.
“When I turned out on the pitch a couple of weeks ago and saw the atmosphere and saw how passionate they are about their football up there part of me thought I wish I’d have gone up and had a go at that. But I think I was kind of happy where I was.”
Phillips, who only retired from playing five years ago, scored close to 300 goals for clubs including Sunderland, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.
The 45-year-old was most recently employed as a coach at the English Championship side, Stoke City, where he worked with the former Rangers midfielder, Charlie Adam.
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