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Wednesday, 21 February 2007, 20:23 GMT

McLeish considered earlier exit

Alex McLeish Scotland manager Alex McLeish has revealed that he considered leaving Rangers ahead of their historic tie with Villareal in the Champions League.

Speaking on Sportsound's Two-on-One feature, the former Rangers manager said his final days at Ibrox were among the most difficult in his life.

"I fully intended to go to David Murray and tell him I would go," said McLeish.

"But David said that he didn't want anyone else taking Rangers out against Villareal, other than me."

In an hour-long interview with former Celtic midfielder Murdo McLeod and former Rangers forward Gordon Smith, McLeish also spoke about his days as a player with Aberdeen.

Discussing his managerial spell at Hibernian, he singled out Franck Sauzee, Didier Agathe and Mixu Paatelainen as some of the greatest ever players to play for the Easter Road club.

On his relationship with former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, McLeish said the Old Firm rivals were always on good terms.

McLeish added: "When Gordon Strachan arrived at Celtic, he thought we could phone each other every day and go out for meals together.

"But he quickly realised that it was difficult to do that.

"But Martin O'Neill was great.

"He would come in after games, and I would go in and see him after games.

"We never left each other's grounds without saying hello or having a cup of tea."



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Related to this story:

The Two on One Interviews (22 May 07 |  Scotland )
McLeish unveiled as Scotland boss (29 Jan 07 |  Internationals )
Emotional McLeish bids farewell (07 May 06 |  Rangers )
McLeish too embarrassed to resign (05 May 06 |  Rangers )
McLeish's rise to power (12 Dec 01 |  Football )
Rangers unveil McLeish (11 Dec 01 |  Rangers )

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