ANDY FIRTH lived the dream. The ex-Rangers keeper - despite only making one first-team appearance for the club - loved his time in Glasgow.
The 25-year-old joined Rangers under Steven Gerrard from Barrow and was third-choice keeper until Giovanni van Bronckhorst decided against renewing his contract.
It was tough news for the keeper who had become a cult hero among the Rangers support during his time in Scotland.
But the goalie revealed classy conduct from the Rangers staff behind-the-scenes made his exit much easier - as he explained he was even given a chance to stay at Ibrox.
Firth told Football Scotland that he had been offered a youth coaching role with the club and was also helped in finding a new club over the summer.
The Connah's Quay keeper explained: “They even offered me the job of a coach, similar to the role I’m doing at Liverpool now. They’d bring me back in as a coach if I wanted to help the younger age groups and stuff.
“They helped me try and find a new club and gave me lots of new ideas and opportunities that I’m really grateful for. Between Mark Allen and Ross, Stevie, Giovanni and Colin, they never sold a dream and were always on the point, straight to it. Sometimes there’s things you don’t want to hear, but you need to hear. They were always open and honest with me and I loved that.
“There is a lot of politics and a lot of people in football blame each other and point fingers, but thankfully for me, that was something I never had to deal with once.
“I had the full support of all the staff and managers. For me, it was a lot easier to take. Obviously, everyone knows I didn’t want to leave. I loved my three-and-a-half years there, but that’s football. That’s just the way it is. I’m just one of the lucky ones who got to live the dream and now the show goes on at Connah’s Quay.”
