Tijjani Reijnders in Rangers transfer near miss as Bert Konterman turns double agent for AC Milan star who 'wasn't ready'

Bert Konterman admits he told previous Rangers transfer target Tijjani Reijnders to stay at AZ Alkmaar rather than move to Glasgow.

The Dutch midfielder, who is set to make his international debut for Holland against Greece, was given his first chance in the national set up by the Ibrox hero in 2018 for the side's under-20s while playing for Jong AZ - Alkmaar's reserve team. It was a meteoric rise that followed for the 25-year-old, who now turns out in Serie A for AC Milan after majorly impressing for AZ's senior team. The rumour mill had spun that Reijnders was lined up for a move last year under Gio Van Bronckhorst after the Dutch star's father called Konterman.

The 52-year-old played with Martin Reijnders at FC Zwolle, but advised AGAINST his son making the switch to Ibrox that summer. He revealed his thinking was that the midfielder would be a better fit in La Liga or Italian football, with a £17million plus add-ons switched agreed between AZ and the Rossoneri in July this year.

Konterman told NOS: "Rangers, my old club wanted him [last summer]. Martin asked me what was wise. I thought it was wiser to stay at AZ. Rangers is a big club, but he was not ready at AZ yet and maybe even bigger clubs would come in a year.

"Moreover, I thought he would fit better in Spanish or Italian football. Fortunately that came true. It's a good thing he didn't go. His patience has definitely been rewarded. He had a fantastic year at AZ and now plays for AC Milan."