Joe Lewis has revealed Steven Gerrard wanted to take him to Rangers but he couldn’t do the dirty on Aberdeen.
The big keeper had verbally agreed a new deal with the Dons when the Light Blues declared their interest back in 2019. Lewis admitted it was flattering but he had already given his word to Derek McInnes at Pittodrie and knew he couldn’t walk out on them for one of their major rivals.
Lewis said: “We played Rangers away and we lost 2-0 at Ibrox. I had a really good game. Rangers made contact with a few people after that game and so I was aware of their interest. They had asked a few questions and knew I was into the last year of my contract. I had verbally agreed to an extension with Aberdeen and I wasn’t going to go back on that. Rangers are a big club but I wouldn’t have felt comfortable going to there from Aberdeen.
“It wouldn’t have felt right and also I had verbally agreed a new deal with Aberdeen. I also didn’t want to impact my standing at Aberdeen or to cut ties with people and supporters who I had become friends with. Yes, the interest was flattering and the money would have been great, I’m sure.
“I spoke to Derek and he was also aware of Rangers’ interest. So he got me in and the following day I signed my new Aberdeen deal. I was happy at Aberdeen. I’m a man of my word.”
The 37-year-old, who had been signed as a training goalie at Manchester United last season, has now hung up his gloves to concentrate on a new goalkeeping academy while away from football he is involved in a commercial solar panel company. The snub to Gers meant that Lewis played his last game as a pro in an Aberdeen shirt. The Englishman had seven years at Pittodrie and they were among the best of his career.
Lewis confessed that when he moved to Pittodrie from Cardiff he thought it would only be for a season.
The former Don said: “I told my wife we would move up to Aberdeen for a season and then move back. I told her, ‘I will go up there, get some games, get my name back out there and we’ll see what comes after that.’ I signed another contract and then another. In fairness, she loved it in Aberdeen.”
The former England squad keeper established himself as a firm favourite at Aberdeen and was also handed the captain’s armband. His individual high was being named as the Dons’ top player in 2019.
He said: “On a personal note, I’d say the year where I was Player of the Year.” The likeable keeper left Aberdeen with loads of great memories, such as playing in Europe and beating Celtic on the final day of the season to finish second.
Lewis said: “We had to better Rangers’ result but we managed to win and they had that high-scoring game (a 5-5 draw) at Hibs.” Lewis is delighted to see Aberdeen start the season with a 100 percent record under boss Jimmy Thelin.
He also doesn’t have to look too far for his own constant reminder from his time in the north east of Scotland. Lewis said: “My first child was brought up there for seven years and my second child was born there. A huge part of me is in Aberdeen. I will try to get up as much as I can to watch their games.”