It appeared as though Ally McCoist and the Rangers were a match made in heaven when Walter Smith brought him back in 2006.
The word “legend” is thrown around far too much, but these two definitely deserve it. They were both universally adored at Ibrox and are two of the most iconic characters in the club’s contemporary history.
Following a Champions League final in which one man became Real Madrid’s most decorated player, it brings to mind a debate between Smith and McCoist that had the potential to alter the trajectory of both Rangers’ and European football.
Real Madrid legend Luka Modric becomes record breaker
Luka Modric, at 38-years old continues to defy his age and collected his 26h major trophy at Wembley on Saturday night.
He has mostly alternated with Toni Kroos this season as the elder guard makes way for the younger one, but his influence on others around him is incalculable.
McCoist recalls his first meeting with the Ballon d’Or-winning playmaker and describes how close Modric was to joining the Rangers: “I’ll tell you right now, there’s a little guy named Modric.
I’m not sure how much money we have in our bank account.
If you can get him gaffer, he is unbelievable.
“Walter picked up the phone and said forget it, he’ll cost too much for us.
“He just looked light-years ahead of anything else on the football pitch.”
What might have been for one of Europe’s greatest everIt is one thing to be able to identify talent, but in 2008, Rangers were unable to afford to acquire Luka Modric, who moved to Tottenham Hotspur for £16.5 million. It’s uncertain if McCoist saw Modric before he became well-known in 2006 or 2007.
It’s amazing to consider that, despite his legs not being as strong as they once were, he is still among the game’s most talented players some 20 years later.
When players like Modric become too pricey, Rangers needs to reach a point where the Nils Koppen-led recruitment squad can find them.
There will always be some risk involved, but as Jefte has shown, that risk doesn’t always have to be prohibitive.
Even with players like Oscar Cortes and Mohamed Diomande, who will each cost the team close to £4 million, this is the kind of fee that, in the event that things go well, might double or triple.
The next item on Koppen’s list is to locate the next Luka Modric since the club needs a strong player trading model to be completely self-sufficient.
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