Former England and Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert has revealed that Rangers are the club he wishes he had played for during his professional career.
Lambert was asked a simple question in a short clip posted by Iain Abraham on X, with the former Southampton frontman was asked: “Team, past or present, you didn't play for, you'd like to have played for?”
His answer was immediate. “Rangers.”
Lambert links to Rangers
The former striker's admission will certainly catch the attention of Rangers supporters, particularly given the number of links he has to players and figures associated with the Ibrox club throughout his career.
Lambert played six seasons at Southampton, two of those seasons alongside former Rangers captain Steven Davis before completing a dream move to Liverpool in the summer of 2014.
Davis was among those to pay tribute to Lambert following his departure from St Mary's, with the Northern Ireland international praising the striker for what he had achieved during his time on the south coast.
“I think everyone is delighted for Rickie. Even the most diehard Saints fans who will have hated to see him leave the club will respect what he has done,” Davis said at the time.
Praise for Gers boss Gerrard
Lambert would go on to spend the 2014/15 season at Liverpool, where he shared a dressing room with Steven Gerrard.
The former Reds captain would later become Rangers manager, taking charge at Ibrox in 2018 and guiding the club through an important period in its modern history, winning their first league title in a decade in 2021 as boss.
Lambert has previously been hugely complimentary of Gerrard and defended him against criticism during his time as Liverpool captain.
Speaking about Gerrard's treatment during his playing career, Lambert said: “I find criticism of Steven shocking to be honest after what he's done for club. I just don't understand it. If he has a bad game, it's up to others to stand up.”
Lambert was equally emphatic when discussing Gerrard's legacy at Liverpool, describing him as “Mister Liverpool” and arguing that he should remain at the club for the rest of his life.
“Stevie is his own man, but he is Mister Liverpool. I think he needs to stay at Liverpool for the rest of his life – that's my opinion,” he revealed.
“There was a period of five years when he was the best player in the world. He's gone on to win so many trophies.”
Lambert's career also brought him into contact with two more players who would later represent Rangers.
More Ibrox connections
During the 2016/17 campaign, he played for Cardiff City alongside Rangers legend Allan McGregor and former Ibrox left-back Declan John.
A year earlier, Lambert had been at West Bromwich Albion, where he played alongside Gareth McAuley. The Northern Ireland defender would eventually join Rangers in 2018 and spend the 2018/19 season at Ibrox under Gerrard.
That means Lambert's career repeatedly crossed paths with players who would go on to have connections with Rangers, from Davis and McGregor to John and McAuley, while his time at Liverpool also saw him play alongside Gerrard.
Yet despite spending his entire professional career in England and making 11 appearances for his country, Lambert never got the opportunity to experience football at Ibrox.
His one-word answer to which club he wished he had played for now provides a glimpse into what might have been.
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