Mikel Arteta reveals Rangers and Celtic shock factor as Arsenal boss offers Ibrox transfer advice

Mikel Arteta is currently scaling the high heights towards English Premier League glory - but it's Rangers who provided him with some of his early footballing moments of joy.

The Arsenal boss has guided the Gunners on an oustanding season that has them in a strong position to win the English top flight for the first time since 2004. He spent two years in Glasgow between 2002-2004 after coming through Barcelona's esteemed academy and having a loan at PSG, making memories like a goal on his derby debut against Celtic on top of a domestic treble.

Scotland's fierce derby has stuck with the Spaniard almost 20 years since his exit and he admits getting thrown into the Glasgow rivalry left him stunned. Arteta told Rangers Museum: “I was shocked in my first Old Firm derby but I managed to score. The intensity, the passion and the atmosphere in the stadium was superb. I always say I have never played in derbies like this. Lots of aggression, commitment and passion from the players, there are a lot of things that make the game special.

“We lost in Europe early on that season and that was disappointing but we concentrated on the other games and won the Treble. We had a big rival in Celtic and they had a good team who had played together for many years. But we won the first trophy by beating them in the League Cup and that sent a message that we wanted to win absolutely everything. That win gave us confidence and a boost for the rest of the season."

It's a place associated with happy memories for Arteta. That forms the reason over his glowing recommendations whenever someone mentions a move north. He added: “Some people were saying, ‘Why are you going to Scotland?’ but I am so proud I played there and so proud of what I learned