What really happened when Luka Modric was asked about Rangers by Davide Ancelotti from man inside the story

Daily Record

6 days ago

It's the story of the day and Guillem Balague knows for a fact what really happened when Modric was asked about Rangers
The sight of Luka Modric at Ibrox next season is highly unlikely.
But the man who teased Rangers fans with the very possibility, Guillem Balague, says it tells them just how well connected their prospective new gaffer is.
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Davide Ancelotti is now clear favourite again to land the gig as Philippe Clement's successor in Govan.
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The Croatian midfield magician is leaving the Bernabeu for pastures new but it's doubtful that he'll end up in Glasgow.
Even so, Balague believes it's an example of Ancelotti's pulling power within the game.
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That's why Rangers have the Italian at the top of their wanted list this summer ahead of their US takeover by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises.
Balague - who is currently writing a book on Aston Villa and their boss Unai Emery, 'Rise of the Villains', says Ancelotti is ready to become one of Europe's top coaches.
And the 35-year-old has already impressed Ibrox chiefs with a presentation and vision for the future.
But he believes Ibrox chiefs have to move fast if they want to get their man.
Record Sport caught up with Balague and quizzed him on the current situation with Rangers and Ancelotti.
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You've teased the Rangers support by suggesting Modric could end up at Ibrox. How genuine was that?
Balague: Everyone will go further with it. But I know Davide asked Luka and he didn't say yes or no.
Listen, it's Luka Modric, so it's unlikely. But this is more a point about the capacity Davide Ancelotti has to link up with big names.
Also, there are players he knows who have asked him to take them to Rangers. Now, if they are Real Madrid players - and I'm assuming they are - it would be impossible because some of the wages would be astronomical.
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I'm thinking about someone like Lucas Vazquez, for example.
You would think the wages for someone like him would make it impossible for Rangers. But it's funny that - knowing what's happening - they're asking Davide.
Where do you expect Modric to go?
Balague: The MLS potentially. But he feels he can still do it at Champions League level. Look, he's going to be 40 soon so I don't think he'll have lots of offers.
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But he doesn't want to go into retirement so he feels it might be too early for the MLS.
Does this prove how tight a relationship Modric and Ancelotti Jnr have?
Balague: Oh yeah. The Real Madrid players love Davide. They all think that without him, Carlo wouldn't have won as much.
David has tried to modernise - and put a little bit of order and foundation - into a club that doesn't normally go for that.
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It hasn't been easy for him at Real Madrid but he's got it all in his head, in terms of exactly what he wants.
His dad has put a culture of work and development into him.
I'm doing a book on Emery and Aston Villa and it's like that. Davide wants to work.
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Could you understand scepticism about Ancelotti initially with people saying he only got jobs because of his dad?
Balague: No, not at all. World class players wouldn't accept that. Rangers wouldn't go for someone like that, either. But when someone like Davide comes in with the presentation that he's supposed to have put on, when he talks about so much detail - it's very impressive. He's going to be a top coach, there's no doubt about that. So his first choice of job is going to be very important.
But how big a job would Rangers be for his first gig, given the intensity of the Old Firm?
Balague: The fact that he's considering it means it doesn't faze him.
Davide has seen, heard and experienced as big a noise as Ibrox at Bayern, Napoli, AC Milan, Real Madrid. He wasn't the guy taking the decisions on the touchline but he's felt it.
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He wanted to leave last summer but it didn't feel right having won everything. But now is his time.
How quickly do Rangers need to act if they don't want to risk losing out on him?
Balague: Yes, because imagine if you're Davide and you have three clubs wanting you.
If Rangers take another week or 10 days, he's going to go in another direction.
Timing and momentum in these things are important. It feels like they're on the same wavelength right now so just say yes.
If it's one more meeting, let's hope they go for it. It feels close.