Frank Lampard Rangers love-in revealed as Celtic-linked manager has ‘great fondness’ for Ibrox side and ‘awesome’ fans
FRANK Lampard is one of the bookmakers' favourites for the Celtic post right now.
But he has never previously hidden his affection for the OTHER side of the Glasgow divide.
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Lampard was near the peak of his powers when he took his seat amongst the Rangers faithful for the 2008 Uefa Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester.
And when he starred in a 2-0 friendly win at Ibrox in a pre-season friendly at the start of that campaign, he said the fans had made it the "best friendly" he had ever played in.
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We also told you how Ibrox icon Ally McCoist said his sons got their picture taken with the Chelsea star after the match.
The England midfielder received tickets from Gers chairman Sir David Murray for the clash and jetted north with his dad Frank Snr to take in the game just seven days before he lost the Champions League final to Manchester United.
Lampard said: "I've always had great respect for Walter Smith and a great fondness for Rangers.
"I have been lucky enough to get tickets — I'd love to see Walter and the boys win it.
"We're off to Moscow and it would be a great double if Chelsea and Rangers could win the two European finals."
Earlier that season, the England man revealed that Jose Mourinho's stars were gob-smacked by the reception they received from the home fans during the 2-0 friendly defeat from Walter Smith's side.
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Nacho Novo and Filip Sebo scored in the last few minutes as the Gers recorded a surprise win but Lampard and skipper John Terry saluted the Ibrox crowd at time-up, with the midfielder claiming it was the best friendly he'd ever played in.
With current Scotland boss Steve Clarke Jose Mourinho's No 2 at the time, Lamps said: "The Rangers fans were awesome, all the lads were talking about it.
"The reception I got when I went to take corners during the game, and after when we were going off, was really nice.
"They certainly love their own team, but it was very special to get that welcome.
"It was amazing really, and a very good game to play in for us, certainly the best friendly we've had.
"With that kind of backing from their crowd, they will be hard to beat. And I expect to see Rangers in the Champions League."