RANGERS scouted global superstar Luka Modric in the early stages of his career, Ally McCoist has revealed.

The midfielder has gone on to become one of the best midfielders of his generation, playing for Tottenham before earning a move to Real Madrid a decade ago.

The Croatian legend was outstanding during Wednesday night's triumph for Los Blancos over PSG, as the La Liga giants came from 2-0 down in the tie to progress.

At the time Rangers were looking at the star he was playing at Dinamo Zagreb in his homeland.

Walter Smith had sent McCoist on a trip to scout Vedran Corluka - who would also end up at Spurs like Modric.

As you'd expect, Modric was the standout player to report on from the trip, as Super Ally urged Rangers to push through a deal if financially possible.

His valuation at the time was just £3.5million.

McCoist told talkSPORT's Breakfast Show: "Walter [Smith] sent me over to Dinamo Zagreb to look at the right back who went to Spurs as well, Vedran Corluka.

"He phoned me after the game and said 'what do you think?' and I said 'I'll tell you gaffer, they've got a wee boy in the middle of the park, he's absolutely outrageous, see how much money we've got'.

"I think we could have got him for £3.5million but we didn't have the money."

Celtic-daft Brazil replied: "Thank god you didn't."

McCoist added: "Aw wow. We didn't have the money. He asked 'how much?' and I said three and a half million and he said we can't afford it.

"What a football player. He's been great to watch."