JOCK STEIN almost prevented Davie White from becoming manager of Rangers.

White had a successful start in management at Clyde, taking them to third place in the top division in 1967-68. He was offered the assistant manager's job at Rangers. But White says: "Stein was surprised when I took that."

The Celtic manager was the man other clubs asked to recommend up-and-coming managers.

"He told me I had the opportunity to go to a couple of other clubs, but I could not see past Rangers," said White, now 75.

He was promoted to Rangers manager within six months after Scot Symon was sacked in November, 1967.

"I knew him well and always got on fine with him," said White. "I went to Lisbon to watch Celtic win the European Cup. They were a marvellous attacking side. I went along to see the players in their hotel and enjoyed the match."

White said of Stein: "He was a great one for mind games.

"He would have the press in his office on a Sunday morning and ask them: What is that guy across the city saying'. He was talking about me.

"But I would not talk to the press until later on. I played golf every Sunday. I told the press: You'll just have to wait'."

He added with a smile: "Later I was once at Parkhead with Dundee and we were playing Rangers the next week. Jock said he supposed I was already working on my plans for Ibrox.

"I said all my attention was on the game against his team. He was trying to get me to focus on something else." White was sacked by Rangers in 1969.

"Stein recommended me for the Dundee job," said White. The Big Man would have cause to regret that. White's Dundee beat Stein's Celtic 1-0 in the League Cup final of 1973.