NEIL WARNOCK has told of his regret after revealing that he could have become Rangers manager in the past.
The veteran Englishman has retired from football at the age of 73 and is now enjoying life away from the game after a 42-year long career.
Warnock managed some top clubs including Leeds, Cardiff and QPR, but he does have a slight tinge of regret that he never managed in Scotland.
During Gordon Strachan's stint as Celtic manager, Warnock was a regular spectator at Parkhead, but he admits rivals Rangers hold a special place in his heart.
Speaking to the Sunday Mail, he revealed: “I had a couple of chats with one or two people at Rangers over the years about being manager. But it was just never the right time. People always connect me to Rangers but I wasn’t born a fan. When Gordon was at Celtic I used to come up to a few of their games as well.
“But I just loved Ibrox. My mate Stuart is a season-ticket holder at Rangers and he took me to my first game. From the car park outside, looking at that stadium, I was absolutely gobsmacked. I loved it.
“Then when I got inside, someone showed me around the Trophy Room. Oh my God, seeing all those cups. I was completely gone, I was a Rangers man then. Stuart McCall was an influence on me as well because he always used to rabbit on about the club and how good it was.
“When he was manager there for a short spell, I actually thought he might have got me in with him. I felt he needed a bit of experience beside him at that time but it didn’t happen. When I look back, I suppose it is a regret that I didn’t manage up in Scotland.
“We tried to get tickets for the Europa League Final in Seville but couldn’t. My mate got one and went with his partner. They had a great time apart from the result. Losing on penalties is just horrible. I felt so sorry for Aaron Ramsey, it was heart-breaking.”
