Source: Team_Talk
Armstrong considered joining Gers
orthern Ireland legend Gerry Armstrong has said how he might have ended Rangers' 'no-Catholic' signing policy six years before Mo Johnston.[LNB] Former Celtic striker Johnston caused huge controversy in July, 1989 when he became the first high-profile catholic in decades to wear the light blue.[LNB]However, Armstrong could have been at Ibrox years earlier if then Northern Ireland boss Billy Bingham had replaced John Greig in the Rangers hot seat.[LNB]Bingham's stock was at an all-time high after the 1982 World Cup in Spain where Armstrong's famous winner against the hosts in Valencia took Northern Ireland through to the next stages of the competition as Group Five winners.[LNB]Greig had struggled to make the transition from Rangers captain to manager and was eventually replaced by the returning Jock Wallace in 1983.[LNB]However, former Tottenham and Watford striker Armstrong said that Bingham had sounded him out about a possible move to Ibrox years before Johnston stunned Scottish society when he returned from French club Nantes to go to Ibrox, rather than back Celtic Park.[LNB]"I know Billy Bingham was linked with the Rangers job just after the 1982 World Cup and he actually asked me if I would be keen to go and play for Rangers if he signed," said Armstrong.[LNB]"I said, 'get the job first and we will talk later'. But I probably would have done, yes.[LNB]"Billy was a sort of mentor of mine and he worked wonders with me in the late 1970s and early 1980s.[LNB]"I had a great period in my career with the national side and a lot of it was down to him.[LNB]"Oh yes, (I would have understood the significance) but it didn't really make any difference to me. People have their own opinions and attitudes.[LNB]"Nobody would think twice about it who they played for now, in terms of what religion you are or what side of the fence you are on.[LNB]"It is becoming a less important question and it's nice to see."[LNB]In European terms, neither Celtic or Rangers are the forces they once were but Armstrong, who returned to Spain in 1983 to play for Real Mallorca and who is now an expert pundit on Spanish football, believes the Old Firm still have a strong pull.[LNB]"The Old Firm still has a ring about it," he said.[LNB]"People talk about the 'Grand Classico' between Barcelona and Real Madrid which is spectacular football with a lot of high-profile players.[LNB]"But you can't get away from the true grit and determination of who is going to be kings of Glasgow on the day.[LNB]"It is like when I played for Spurs against Arsenal or when you played against Chelsea, you want to be the king pins and it is a fabulous feeling.[LNB]"I loved playing in derby matches and I'm sure it (the Old Firm) will always be a big attraction."[LNB]Armstrong, though, concedes that the Scotland national side, like the rest of the Celtic nations, are struggling.[LNB]While Northern Ireland also qualified for the 1986 World Cup finals following the exploits four years previously, they have not qualified for a major tournament since and like Wales, Ireland and Scotland, will be absent from this summer's World Cup in South Africa.[LNB]"It's getting more difficult every time because we have fewer players coming through," the former Northern Ireland assistant boss said.[LNB]"We manage to get some players through but not enough to compete with countries like France, Portugal and England.[LNB]"On our day we do get a result but it is getting more and more difficult and these countries are better prepared, that's one of the problems.[LNB]"I am always hopeful. I am the eternal optimist.[LNB]"I have always thought that it's 11 versus 11 and you have to think positively."[LNB]Armstrong acknowledges that Scotland have it all to do to get through their forthcoming 2012 European Championship qualifying group which includes holders Spain.[LNB]"You can do it but it is getting more difficult every year," he said.[LNB]"Scotland will know that. They will know the quality they are up against.[LNB]"I mean, Cesc Fabregas can't get in to the Spanish national side.[LNB]"You can be an optimist but you can do something about it.[LNB]"In Spain, they are putting things in place where you have to have a minimum of five under-21 Spanish players in the squad every week.[LNB]"They are trying to cut down on the number of foreign players coming in which I think will eventually happen in a lot of the European countries in order to develop the local talent."
