Former Rangers midfielder Mikel Arteta has been talking up the Ibrox club as he reveals his pride in making the switch to Ibrox from Barcelona in 2002.
The talented Spanish midfielder had just spent the season on loan at PSG with Rangers forking out a reported £6m to sign the player under Alex McLeish.
Winning the treble in his first season, Mikel Arteta has been taking to the Rangers museum about his spell in Glasgow and has talked up the immense experience he had at the club.
The midfielder also spoke about the influence of Dutch attacker Ronald de Boer, Argentina legend Claudio Caniggia and Italian defender Lorenzo Amoruso on his time in Govan.
Mikel Arteta talks up Rangers stint
“I thought Rangers would suit me so I made the decision to move,” said Arteta.
“Everybody was very helpful at the club. I was young and knew it was a big move for me, I wanted to control the circumstances as much as possible. In my opinion, the best way to do that was to feel settled and feel at home so my family came with me and gave me that security.
“They helped me in the process to adapt to a new culture and language and to play in a different league.
“I loved Glasgow, I always recommend it to people to move there if they have the chance. They will be surprised. It’s hard to find people as passionate as loyal and as open as the people in Scotland and Glasgow in particular.
“I always felt very welcome and I had the support behind me. I had a great time there. We went to New York that pre-season and it helped me as you spend a lot of time together and I got to know the players.
“I was very lucky as I had players that treated me almost like a father and son. I’m talking about players Ronald de Boer, Lorenzo Amoruso and Claudio Caniggia – I had a lot of help and they welcomed me into the group. From Day 1 I felt like I made the right choice.
“Some people were saying, ‘Why are you going to Scotland?’ but I am so proud I played there and so proud of what I learned there.
“I had great moments and met some really nice people. I learned from big players and lived in a culture that for me was unbelievable.”
Ex-Rangers star Mikel Arteta would move on from Ibrox for Real Sociedad in 2004, before coming back to the UK with Premier League Everton and eventually moving to Arsenal.
And it’s with the Gunners the talented young coach is making his name with Mikel Arteta on the verge of history with Arsenal and a first Premier League title since 2004.
They currently sit top of the English top flight, eight points ahead of Man City, whose game in hand promises a tight finish to the season.
