Tore Andre Flo remains Rangers’ record transfer despite signing for the club almost 25 years ago.
Flo has opened up about the weight of expectation he faced at Ibrox, his regrets from his time in Glasgow, and the importance of a strong Rangers for Scottish football.
Speaking on the latest episode of Footy Accumulators’ No Tippy Tappy Football podcast with Sam Allardyce, the Norwegian shared candid insights into his career and the club’s current fortunes.
Flo joined Rangers in a record-breaking £12million transfer from Chelsea in November 2000, a fee that remains the highest in the club’s history.
Even though he scored an impressive 38 goals in 72 appearances, Flo admitted that the pressure tied to his price tag was a constant challenge.
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“It was heavy, I have to admit that," Flo said. "I didn't think about it in that way when I went there, and to be honest, I didn't feel the pressure that much from the supporters or the club. It was more the media, it was the only thing they wanted to talk about.
“If I scored two goals that was not enough because you cost that much money. It never stopped, that price tag was over my shoulders all the time, in good periods or in bad periods they wouldn't stop writing about the price tag.
“We came second and you can't come second if you play for Rangers, but what a club. What a lively city and the atmosphere of the games was unbelievable up there, so it was a great place to play football.
“I think I would have been considered to be a great success if I cost a fourth of what I actually did. The price tag made it a lot more difficult. I wish I could have played there not having that over my shoulders then it would have been a bit different. I think my goal record is okay.”
Looking back, Flo acknowledged he had hoped to help Rangers secure more silverware.
“It was great fun being at Rangers but two things I would have changed are obviously the price tag, and I wish we’d won the league.”
Now 51, Flo remains a keen observer of Rangers and believes their resurgence is vital for the Scottish game.
“They won a league in the last few years but still they are a bit behind Celtic,” he acknowledged.
“I'm not completely aware of the situation financially, but from what I've heard it's under control.
“They're building up the team again and hopefully they can come back to where they were because that was a very successful club and it still is.
“They're up there fighting to win the league again every season and that's really important for Scottish Football because it was a very competitive league, maybe a bit more before than it is at the moment, but they're getting there again and I really hope that they'll stay up there.”
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And when asked about the standout players from his time at Rangers, Flo highlighted three stars who left a lasting impression: Michael Mols, Barry Ferguson, and Claudio Caniggia.
“There were some great players in my time there,” he stated.
“Dick Advocaat was the manager and he brought some players from Holland. The player I want to mention is Michael Mols. He played for the national team of the Netherlands as well, and what was special about him was the turn. He turned the best way that I've ever seen a player do.
“Barry Ferguson was there, he was the captain and was a big player and a big influence. I even played with Claudio Caniggia from Argentina for a little while, he was a cool player but Michael Mols, he just edged it for me because of that brilliant turn he had.”
