Welcome to a time-travel podcast diving into football’s greatest almost moments — the transfers that came within touching distance of reality, Richie McCormack's Sliding Doors.Sliding Doors goes beyond rumours and gossip to uncover deals that were genuinely on the tableEach episode explores how one decision could have reshaped clubs, careers, and the entire football landscapeFrom whispered negotiations to official bids, this is the anatomy of football’s biggest “what ifs”Think Michael Laudrup to Liverpool, Robert Lewandowski to Blackburn… and yes, Ronaldo to RangersThis episode rewinds to the summer of 1997 — Britpop excess, post-Eurovision Ireland, and a transfer market on the brink of chaosA 20-year-old Ronaldo Nazário is tearing La Liga apart and attracting every giant in European footballBarcelona, Inter, Lazio… and astonishingly, Glasgow Rangers enter the raceWith Champions League ambition and serious financial muscle, Rangers launch a sensational bidInside the negotiations, the contracts, the Nike influence, and the offer that would’ve shocked world footballWhat would it have meant for Scottish football, European competition, and the 1998 World Cup?One signature. One fax. One sliding door — and football history might have looked very differentBecome a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.