Former Rangers defender Joe Worrall appeared to keep the door open for a return to the club as the Nottingham Forest centre-back sang the Ibrox side’s praises.
Joe joined Rangers on-loan from Forest last season and endured his fair share of ups and downs in the famous blue jersey.
But that didn’t stop the talented centre-half making the most of his time in Glasgow, suggesting Rangers are different from anything he’ll ever experience – unless the 23-year-old ever returns.
“It was incredible,” Worrall told BBC Radio Five Live.
“I knew all about Rangers before I went up there.
“I was gobsmacked to be able to have the opportunity.
“It was a loan and loans don’t get much better than that, to be able to play in front of 50,000 people.
“In the Europa League, in the Old Firm games.
“It was massive.
“And with Steven Gerrard being the manager, it was fantastic and he was brilliant with me.
“Showed a lot of faith and threw me straight in at Villarreal away.
“You’re under it all the time.
“I thought Forest was a big club but Rangers is absolutely humongous.
“It was brilliant, just the immense pressure.
“Just going out on the street and seeing the people and what they’re like and their attitude toward football.
“It’s different to anything I’ve ever experienced and probably ever will unless I return.
“When Karanka came in I wasn’t part of his plans so to be able to go there, I appreciate the opportunity I’ve got and took it with both hands and returned a better player.”
It’s high praise indeed from Joe who certainly made an impression during his time at Ibrox.
The towering defender put in some truly immense performances in big matches for the club; Villarreal, Rapid Vienna and the December 2018 win over Celtic amongst them.
But a lack of maturity in his game showed at times and was encapsulated by gifting Killie an equaliser in that fateful 2-1 defeat in January 2019.
Worrall also wasn’t helped by the fandom towards Nikola Katic, who remains many of the Rangers fans’ favourite centre-back option.
Worrall’s form since returning to Nottingham Forest has seen the centre-half linked with a move to Premier League giants Arsenal.
And should Rangers be interested in a move for Worrall again, they may have to wait.
The big defender recently signed a new deal at the City Ground tying him to Nottingham Forest until 2024.
