Derek McInnes has revealed Rangers' new star Vladimir Weiss could have been playing for St Johnstone last season.
The 20-year-old Slovakia international arrived in Govan on a season-long loan from Manchester City before the trip to Hibernian in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League last Sunday.
St Johnstone boss McInnes said: "We might have got Weiss for last season. I had watched him in a few reserve games down south and spoke to his agent who indicated that he might want to go on loan."
He added: "I spoke to Mark Hughes' assistant, Eddie Niedzwiecki, whom I know, and Man City were keen for him to go on loan to get regular football.
"They didn't want him to go to the Championship in case he didn't get a game because that would have defeated the purpose.
"But we had just came up from the First Division and he would have got a game for us.
"But Man City were going on a tour of South Africa and had a few injuries so they took him.
"By all accounts Weiss did well over there and I got a call from Eddie saying the manager wanted to hold onto him.
"He is an even better player now. He has played in the Premier League and in a World Cup.
"So we are well aware of him but Rangers have match-winners all over the pitch. Kenny Miller, James Beattie, Steven Naismith and Lee McCulloch can all chip in with goals so we can't concentrate on one player."
Source: PA
