WinkieWATP
Well-Known Member
When McLiesh was the manager? Just read it but have never heard it before?
We tried to sign the real Ronaldo too.
I seem to remember McLeish trying to sign Etoo when he played for Mallorca.
Seemed like we chased him all summer.
I think we ended up with Ostenstaad.
Messi was 14 in 2001.It was 2001 and yes we did and were unable to get him. Brazilian Ronaldo nearly signed for us but Inter Milan came in for him. It was essentially a near done deal.
From memory it was season 2003/2004 through Wouters link to Ten Caate and we were linked more with Iniesta but he played well pre season and it killed any potential move. Messi was suggested as an alternative loan but Barca weren't entertaining any offers, certainly not to Scotland. Could have the details wrong though.
Eto'o was linked from Mallorca the previous summer and McLeish was on record basically saying he wasn't that keen on him.
Wasn't the story that Eck was told that Messi was a no go, but Iniesta was a possibility, only for him to get called into the Barca first team around that time?
That's how I remember it.
We enquired about Messi and was told no go, but Barca were willing to let Iniesta go on loan to get some first time experience. Then he goes and dominates some teams in Barcas pre season and the rest is history.
Haha no chance Ian Murray was our star utility man.That’s correct. Real shame too, I was looking forward to see Iniesta at left back for us
So we went for Messi when he was 14?It was 2001 and yes we did and were unable to get him. Brazilian Ronaldo nearly signed for us but Inter Milan came in for him. It was essentially a near done deal.
Yes he was that good.So we went for Messi when he was 14?
Not sure on the year, but yes we most certainly attempted to get Messi on loan.
Haha no chance Ian Murray was our star utility man.
It was 2005 and yes we did and were unable to get him. Brazilian Ronaldo nearly signed for us but Inter Milan came in for him. It was essentially a near done deal.
There was a Sky Sports interview with him and he did say he received an offer from Glasgow Rangers.I don’t think Ronaldo was ever close to being a done deal and the whole thing was really just a publicity stunt by Murray.
Gianluca Vialli on the other hand . . .
There is an actual Interview with McLeish that came with Football Manager one year as part of a DVD extras.
McLeish said his son was playing it and there was a guy in Barca reserves scoring loads...Messi. They enquired and got offered Iniesta instead. Barca got an injury crisis that weekend, Iniesta played and that was the end of that.
That was Heed Caldwell.I always forget about Ian Murray. I'm sure it was him that deflected Novo's shot in on helicopter Sunday
Did Vialli not phone Smith personally and told him thanks but I'm going to Chelsea?I don’t think Ronaldo was ever close to being a done deal and the whole thing was really just a publicity stunt by Murray.
Gianluca Vialli on the other hand . . .