‘It was complicated' – Rangers cult hero who turned down Celtic opens up on why he chose Ibrox
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HE famously turned down Celtic to join Rangers - then scored six goals against the Hoops while playing for the Light Blues.
Rangers legend Nacho Novo had the choice of Glasgow's big two after a standout season in Scotland with Dundee.
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Nacho Novo loved playing for Rangers
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But he could have opted to wear green and white instead
Novo, now 46, moved to Scotland in 2001 when his agent recommended a shock switch to Raith Rovers - despite Valencia also being on his trail.
After a season in Kirkcaldy he travelled up the A92 to Dens Park, before heading back down to Glasgow when Rangers came calling.
But while the Light Blues had him on their radar for some time, it was actually Martin O'Neill who made the first official approach.
Novo, however, only had Ibrox on his mind.
Speaking to the Let Me Be Frank podcast, Novo revealed: "I knew Rangers were interested in me for a while. I spoke to my agent, I knew there were a big club.
"It was complicated at the time because Dundee were entering administration so the chairman wanted to get as much money as possible, which is understandable.
"Celtic wanted to speak to me and they made me to go Celtic Park. They said there wasn't going to be any cameras, and of course the first thing I saw were cameras.
"I spoke with Martin O'Neill but Rangers were in for me for a long time, while Celtic hadn't been.
"I knew Mikel Arteta, I knew Ronald (De Boer), Shota (Arveladze) and Claudio Caniggia.
"I used to go to Glasgow for something to eat and things like that, so I had friends there (at Rangers) already.
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"I knew I would feel more comfortable going there.
"I remember before that I went to the Scottish Cup final - Celtic vs Rangers - and I sat in the Rangers end when Fergie scored that free-kick.
"Being there and seeing the atmosphere, you can't beat that. I think it's the best derby in the entire world.
"I just got that feeling."
Novo spent six years in Glasgow and lifted the same number of trophies during that time.
He clinched the league and League Cup double in his first season under Alex McLeish.
Novo was Rangers' top goal scorer that campaign and he went on to score 70 goals for the club in total, leaving Ibrox in 2010 to head back to Spain.
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