Former Rangers star Mark Hateley has revealed that he was offered a bribe. He was urged to pull out of playing against Marseille in the 1992-93 UEFA Champions League.

Marseille would later be stripped of their Ligue 1 title after it had emerged that they fixed their tie with Valenciennes to concentrate on their clash with AC Milan in the Champions League Final.

While preparing to face the French champions in the group stages, with the winners progressing to the final, Hateley received a phone call:

"The foreign voice on the other end of the phone was not one I recognised but his message was clear enough" he told the Daily Record.

"It was 1992 and Rangers had just beaten Leeds United to win a place in the newly-formed Champions League where we would play Marseille, Club Brugge and CSKA Moscow in the group stages.

"Knocking out the English title holders was one of the highlights of my career and none of us could wait for a crack at the revamped European Cup.

"Then the excitement turned to disbelief when I received that call not long after the draw was made.

"Basically, this gentlemen offered me money in return for me not playing against Marseille.

"To say I was stunned would be an understatement - but not for long. I gathered my senses and told the man in no uncertain terms to 'Get to f***' - which he duly did.

"The request, if you want to call it that, came via a third party from France at a time when Marseille owner Bernard Tapie was buying referees to help his club win trophies.

"I'll let you draw your own conclusions," added Hateley.