I turned down Premier League riches for Rangers says Brian Laudrup – here’s what I’d tell Todd Cantwell and Tom Davies
RANGERS legend Brian Laudrup reckons Glasgow could be an unforgettable football experience for Todd Cantwell and Tom Davies - and turned DOWN Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to stay in the city
The midfield pair have emerged as Ibrox transfer targets and Laudrup has recalled his own Scotland or England dilemma - and Peter Schemeichel's TWO attempts to lure him south.
He reckons a move to Glasgow can't be beaten - and told Peter Lovenkrands the very same when he asked for advice on a move in 2000.
Now, as Rangers line up transfer moves for the pair, Laudrup has revealed the inside info he passed on to his Danish compatriot.
Writing in his column for the Scottish Daily Mail, Laudrup revealed: "From memory, [Lovenkrands] also had the option to go to Newcastle.
"Immediately, I said: 'Peter, pick Rangers. It's a wonderful club and a great place to go and develop. Also, doing well there will give you the chance to go down south or elsewhere.'
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"It didn't work out too badly for him. I've seen the recent links between Rangers and Todd Cantwell and Everton's Tom Davies.
"I'm sure those players will be making calls just now, looking for advice and sounding out the situation.
"For any footballer, having the right people in your corner can make all the difference when it comes to a potentially life-changing decision.
"I might be biased, but I would always give Glasgow the seal of approval. Those who end up in the city will have an experience they won't forget."
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Laudrup had Peter Schmeichel in his corner on international duty and the Danish goalkeeping great did his bit to engineer a club reunion.
But Laudrup stuck to his Glasgow guns and rejected the Old Trafford overtures - and later Man City too.
He was too HAPPY at Rangers to consider it.
The Ibrox legend added: "I was close with Schmeichel. We'd won Euro '92 together and, alongside Andy Goram, he was one of the two goalkeeping geniuses I was lucky enough to share a dressing room with.
"I remember after winning nine-in-a-row Peter asked me if I fancied playing for Manchester United.
"At that point, I was happy at Rangers. I didn't yet know whether I'd sign a new contract but the club wanted me to stay and I wanted to stay. Of course, things changed when it became clear Walter Smith was going to leave and it became the end of an era.
"Then, when I'd actually decided on Chelsea some months down the line, I had a call from Sir Alex. He said he saw me as a Manchester United player.
"It was a great honour, as I told him, but the very day before he phoned, I'd given my word to Chelsea. I couldn't go back on it. It would have been wrong."
Schmeichel also tried to tempt Laudrup out of retirement after ankle problems forced him out the game at Ajax.
He added: "I was still quite young, only 31. At some point, I played in a testimonial match alongside Peter. Afterwards, he said: 'Brian, you're too good just to be walking around here. You should still be playing. What about Manchester City?'
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"Peter had not long moved there. I actually flew to England to meet [Kevin] Keegan and talk it through.
"I was really close to doing it, but I'd also been out of football for two years."
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