Every club has them. The transfers that got away. The kind of ones you think back to now and ask: How did we not get the deal over the line?
In this series I have picked out a few transfers, some of them we will be happy to have missed out on, others, and for the most part, will leave you wishing, and thinking what if.
PLAYER IN QUESTION: Gordan Durie
DATE OF INTEREST: 1991
I know many of you will be thinking, why Durie, we got him in the end? True, but that is only half the story.
Back in 1991, Gordan Durie was a player new Rangers boss Walter Smith had long admired and with the European transfer deadline looming, Rangers looked set to make their move. However, it is the ripple effect that this could have had on Rangers history that makes it so intriguing.
Chelsea were open to offers for the 25-year old, this was Ken Bates’ Chelsea, long before the lavish days of Abramovich. Chelsea, and Bates in particular, were renowned cheapskates, so any chance of making a quick buck was right up his street.
That summer had seen the Gers capture the signing of Andy Goram, so rumours were pretty strong that Chris Woods would be used in a cash plus player deal. Rangers were pushing hard to finalise the deal and with one player coming in, one would have to leave.
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This could well be described as not only a sliding door moment for Rangers, but Scottish football as well. The player that was rumoured to be on the chopping block was none other than Ally McCoist.
Super Ally had seen his playing time severely limited under previous boss Souness and this was a trend expected to continue under Smith, with first choice strike partnership of Johnston and Hateley.
This had not gone unnoticed and Aberdeen were set to make a move, enticing Ally to the granite city under the prospect of first team football, but the Durie deal had to be completed first.
Injury and luck would then play a part. Super Ally had to undergo a secret hernia operation in London, meaning he would not pass any medical for a new club. Then, Spurs entered the race for Durie.
Luckily for Rangers fans, Durie made the choice to sign for Spurs instead, staying in London, and with it, saving us from a potential devastating chain reaction.
Steven Harrigan
@steven_harrigan
@rangersnewsuk