Van Perside has revealed that Dick Advocaat almost lured him to Ibrox in 2002.
He said: “There was interest from Rangers when I was at Feyenoord.
“The problem for me was that they didn’t come in and make a firm offer.
“I was interested because I really wanted to leave my club at that time.
“Rangers are a massive team like Celtic, because I speak to my friend Glenn Loovens a lot and he tells me lots of stories about the stadium and Scotland itself.
“My European debut was against Rangers at Ibrox and that was a fantastic moment.
“When I heard about Rangers’ interest I sat by the phone hoping it would ring.
“I was in a difficult situation at my club and desperate to leave. If Rangers had made Feyenoord an offer it would have happened, I have no doubt about that. I would have gone to Rangers at that time.
“Dick Advocaat told me he needed to sell some players before he could buy. That is why it dragged on and did not happen.”
