I won the league title with Rangers after turning down Man Utd, now I make my living selling luxury cars
HE won a league and cup double with Rangers in 1989.
And two years before that he turned down the chance to join Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
Now Kevin Drinkell has carved out a successful new career selling luxury motors.
For the past decade the 63-year-old has been a car salesman with Mercedes Benz.
The former striker only spent 12 months in Glasgow as part of the Graeme Souness revolution at Rangers.
But, he quickly became a huge fan’s favourite and is still fondly remembered by the Ibrox faithful.
After hanging up his boots in 1995 the Englishman had stints in charge of Stirling Albion and Montrose.
Drinkell also worked as a football agent for a number of years after quitting as a manager.
However, since 2013 he has been earning a living flogging top of the range German cars.
He said: “I’ve been working for Mercedes for years now and I do enjoy it.
“The best advice I received was from one of the old salesmen.
“He told me never to try and sell anybody a car.
“If someone turns up at the garage then they are already interested in buying a new car.
“Your job is just to guide them in the right direction. That has served me well.”
Drinkell started off at Grimsby before earning himself a move to Norwich in the mid eighties.
It was at Carrow Road when he came to the attention of Scotland’s greatest ever manager.
But, the forward opted against a move to Old Trafford – a decision he doesn’t regret.
Drinkell said: “It is all about timing. I was called into the office at Norwich by our manager, Ken Brown, who said Fergie wanted to sign me.
“I had just signed a new contract extension at Carrow Road and we had a good team with Dave Watson, Steve Bruce and Chris Woods.
“I felt I owed Norwich a debt of loyalty so I turned down Man Utd.
“I don’t regret not going because I wouldn’t have got the move to Rangers if I’d gone to Utd.
“However, about six months later the boss was sacked and then Bruce went to Old Trafford.
“I don’t regret not going because I wouldn’t have got the move to Rangers if I’d gone to Utd.”
Drinkell was instrumental in helping the Ibrox outfit claim the 1988-89 title and also secure a League Cup final triumph against Aberdeen.
His hard-working and selfless style endeared him to supporters and team-mates alike.
But, it was his looks which earned him a new nickname, courtesy of wise-cracking Gers legend Ian Durrant.
Drinkell said: “I remember my first day at Rangers and I was sitting in the dressing room before training.
“I knew a few of the lads like Chris Woods and Terry Butcher from my time down south.
“ I’m getting changed next to Davie Cooper when Durrant walks in and clocks me.
“I’ve always had dark eyes ever since I was a kid and within seconds of spotting me Durrant turns to the rest of the boys and says: ‘When the f*** did we sign Chi Chi the Panda?’”
Drinkell mixed in the highest of circles during his glittering playing career.
The striker rubbed shoulders with the great and the good including former PM Maggie Thatcher.
Yet, it wasn’t until he came across his sporting hero that he was truly bowled over.
He added: “I’ve met former Prime Ministers, Maggie Thatcher and John Major.
“But, the most starstruck I’ve ever been was when England cricket legend, Freddie Truman, presented me with a player of the year award at Norwich.
“I’m a massive cricket fan and Freddie is cricketing royalty.”
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