Dick Advocaat stumped Rangers star with Champions League claim as Euro favourite sees error of ways

Former Rangers star Allan Johnston has told how Dick Advocaat’s approach to his game time during his season at Ibrox left him puzzled - as the ex Scotland man opened up on dining out with Sir Alex Ferguson amid his Manchester United chance.

Johnston joined the Light Blues on a free transfer from Sunderland in the summer of 2000 at the height of Advocaat’s big spending days in Govan. The Dutchman had won two trophies in his first two seasons and Rangers were determined to crack the Champions League after some impressive European displays under the former PSV Eindhoven gaffer.

But the wheels started to come off in Advocaat’s third season despite an impressive start to their 2000/01 Champions League campaign which saw them secure back to back wins with a 5-0 thumping of Sturm Graz - where Johnston’s rising star son Max now players - at Ibrox and victory away to Monaco. Johnston was instrumental in those victories, however, defeat to Galatasaray in their third group game was the start of their downfall and they missed out on qualification and the the season went into freefall.

And, in an interview with the Scottish Mail on Sunday, the 49-year-old said: “We had a massive squad and I went from playing every week to being a squad player. On a Saturday, I wouldn't even be on the bench and then I'd play against Monaco, Galatasaray or Sturm Graz in the Champions League ? I actually have the top on my wall!

“I went in to see Dick Advocaat and said, 'I don't get this. I don't understand how I can play against Galatasaray but not in the Scottish Premier League games’. He said: ‘I see you as a European player’. I should probably have taken that as a compliment but I didn't. With hindsight, I should have been more patient. He put me in