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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Paul Ince details affection for Rangers as Man Utd hero offers Celtic admission

Manchester United legend Paul Ince has opened up on his affection for Rangers.

The former England international admits he's more connected to the blue half of Glasgow than the green and white section.

He states that he doesn't know much about Celtic at all.

Speaking on talkSPORT alongside Jim White, the 56-year-old says the main reason for that is down to close friend Alex Rae.

The duo played together at Wolves, but have since worked together closely at various clubs, where Rae would be Ince's assistant, mostly recent Reading.

The former midfielder also listed other factors involved, such as his bond with Gazza, the involvement he had in a Fernando Ricksen charity event and then his admiration for Ally McCoist. 

He said: “I spent a lot of time with Alex Rae and he was a mad, mad Rangers fan and it’s great to see him now working at the club he loves. And when I go back to when Gazza was at Rangers they had such a good team.

“Also, I managed a charity team for Fernando Ricksen and I’ve just always had a soft spot for Rangers. It was horrendous what happened with Ricksen and I’m glad I played a part in it. But I’ve always had that Rangers kind of thing, Ally McCoist and all that.

"I don’t really know a lot about Celtic as a team. I know when John Barnes went there under Kenny Dalglish but Rangers have always been the team I actually like.”

Fellow guest on White & Jordan, Karl Robinson, then countered by saying he's more fond of the Hoops.

The Scouser explained: “Kenny Dalglish was my ultimate hero growing up as a kid and if he’d played at Rangers I probably would have been a Rangers fan but the fact he played for Celtic made me want to follow and support them.

"And over the years I’ve always liked them more. Even when Steven (Gerrard) went there I was a little bit disappointed. Neil Lennon is a good friend of mine so I loved going to watch them. And the ground, when you go to an Old Firm or European night, is unbelievable and one of the best atmospheres in football.”

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