It’s here. What football fans all over Europe have been waiting for, the January transfer window.
Its that time of year when you hope your side can capture the signature of that one player who will make all the difference, we Rangers supporters are no different.
So to get you all in the transfer mood I have picked out the best of Rangers winter transfer business, and over the next two days I will present them to you.
FRANK DE BOER
Ask any fan who seen Frank De Boer play at Ibrox and they will tell you he strolled it. A player of extreme quality on and off the ball, who’s defensive reading of the game made it look all to simple at times.
The real shame was we only got to see him for such a short period of time.
Frank De Boer, had come to prominence at the all conquering Ajax side of the early 1990’s, gaining a worldwide reputation as a cultured central defender. One that could not only tackle but pick a pass (see Bergkamp’s goal vs Argentina at France 98 as proof), De Boer was equally as dangerous from set pieces scoring many a free kick during his career.
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After winning the UEFA cup, Champions League along with five Eredvisie titles and two Dutch cups, De Boer and his twin brother Ronald felt the time was right to move on.
The Spanish giants Barcelona, at the time managed by the former Ajax boss Van Gaal, came calling in the January of 1999, securing the due for a fee around £22 million.
Despite a four year spell at Barcelona Frank had only one La Liga title to show, this coming in the brothers first season with the Catalan giants.
Franks next move was to Turkey and to Galatasaray, who were spending big at the time and looking to make a impact in European competitions.
After only six months in Istanbul things were not going so well, finding his game time limited action was needed, with Frank set to captain Holland at the summers European Championships, match fitness was vital to him retaining his place in the Dutch starting eleven.
Galatassaray’s loss was certainly Rangers gain. Frank picked up the phone to twin brother Ronald, who was loving life in Glasgow having moved to Ibrox in 2000.
Ronald then spoke to Rangers boss Alex McLeish and the wheels were set in motion for a six month spell. It was a deal that favoured Rangers in many ways with Frank famously opting to just take “petrol money ” to play and regain match sharpness, Rangers in turn getting the services of a experienced and cultured player, helping sure up a less than watertight backline at the time.
His tenure was brief, as the De Boer brothers had already agreed a deal to head to Qatar at the seasons end. If only he had made the move to Ibrox six months before, then it is quite possible a title could have been delivered.
Frank De Boer was a absolute joy to watch, even if some did waste good money on him every week taking him to score with a free kick. It was a pleasure.
Let me know your memories on it.
@steven_harrigan @rangersnewsuk