ANDREI KANCHELSKIS spent four years at Rangers, won five trophies and wrote his name into the history books. The Russian was one of a host of multi-million pound signings made by Dick Advocaat and he would delight the Ibrox crowd with his dazzling wing play and natural ability. There were as many highs as there were lows, though.

In part one of a serialisation of his autobiography, ‘Russian Winters’, Kanchelskis details his stormy relationship with Advocaat, explains why Rangers failed in Europe and reveals all about an end of season trip to Marbella.

Read more: Andrei Kanchelskis: Rangers spent big but Dick Advocaat failed to deliver in Europe

WHEN we won the title, which was Rangers’ eleventh in twelve years, David Murray paid for the whole squad to go to Marbella for five or six days to celebrate. Everything was paid for.

I’d been to Marbella a few times and knew quite a few good restaurants in the town.

I told the lads where they could find the best places for steaks or fresh fish. When I mentioned it to the Scottish contingent they said no, they’d be fine with a McDonald’s.

Shortly after I joined Fiorentina in January 1997, I was exploring the city when my son, Andrei, who would have just turned four, asked to go to McDonald’s. I took him there, ordered something for him but nothing for myself.

The next day I was contacted by the club’s technical director who said, ‘Let me tell you: no Fiorentina player goes to McDonald’s – ever.’ Someone had seen me and reported back to the club.

Read more: Andrei Kanchelskis on Dick Advocaat's Rangers regime, his war with the Little General and the Dutch contingent at Ibrox

The Rangers captain, Barry Ferguson, who was a really good guy and a very fine player, would go to McDonald’s three times a week for a McChicken sandwich. In Marbella, once they had finished with McDonald’s, they all went to Lineker’s Bar and, once there, they did not leave. For them, lager and a Big Mac was the key to Spanish cuisine.

In Glasgow, we used to go to a Chinese restaurant, particularly after we’d won.

One evening some official cars drew up outside and a man, dressed in a suit, came in to ask if they had a table for Prince Charles. He was on his way back from an official function

in Glasgow and wanted something to eat.

The official was told that the restaurant was fully booked.

‘But it’s Prince Charles.’

‘Well,’ said the owner, indicating the room, ‘which of these people do you want me to ask to leave?’

Prince Charles and his entourage drove away to seek out a more pliable restaurant owner.

Andrei Kanchelskis’ autobiography ‘Russian Winters’ is published by deCoubertin Books and costs £20. Click here to purchase.