‘Worst decision in my life’ – Filippo Maniero reflects on 2005 Rangers transfer
Filippo Maniero has claimed that signing for Rangers in 2005 was the “worst decision” of his life.
The Italian made the move to Glasgow from Torino after his former club went bankrupt, and was initially signed on a one-year deal.
The hitman, who was 33 at the time, failed to make a single appearance for the Gers, however, and was subsequently allowed to leave just three months later.
And the former AC Milan forward has now opened up in his time in Scotland.
As quoted by the Scottish Sun, he said: “I was 33 years old and I knew that this was going to be my last transfer move.
“I was hoping I would get a move back to Padova where I started my career, but instead, I made the worst decision in my life… I signed for Rangers.
“The first chance I got, I thanked them and went home. And that was the way my career ended. I never played football again. It was the only decision in football that I would change when I look back.”
What can we make of this?
If we had a pound for every flopped signing that Rangers have made since the turn of the millennium, we could probably afford to buy one or two of the players ourselves.
Maniero was a very special case though.
With a career goals tally of 128 in 427 matches, and with clubs like AC Milan and Sampdoria on his CV, there was no reason to believe that the Italian couldn’t contribute, even if it was on a short term deal.
But somethings just aren’t meant to be, and it was very clear from the outset that this was a move that never really suited the player or the club.
To be fair, when you consider the fact that he then slumped away to end his career in such a disappointing manner, it probably was the “worst decision” of his playing career.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox Exclusive: Alex Bruce claims Ryan Kent can be ‘big asset’ for Gers in ‘huge’ 20/21.