New Cheltenham Town midfielder Charlie McCann has admitted his move to Forest Green Rovers is the only decision in his career he truly regrets, saying he “should have done more due diligence” before leaving Rangers.
After joining the Robins, the 24-year-old reflected on his January 2023 switch to The New Lawn, where he arrived from Scottish giants Rangers as Forest Green battled relegation from League One.
McCann revealed he had been offered a new three-and-a-half-year contract at Rangers despite having two years remaining on his existing deal, but opted to leave in search of regular first-team football and went onto play 90 games for Forest Green and scored 15 goals, but endured back-to-back relegations with the Nailsworth outfit.
Speaking to Gloucestershire Live’s Jon Palmer, the former Manchester Untied trainee said: “I wanted more regular football and I asked to go on loan, but they wanted to keep me in as I’d qualify as a homegrown player for their European squads the following season.
“I didn’t feel that’d benefit my career because I wasn’t playing. I’d been wrapped up in Rangers and was a little detached from English football.
“I hadn’t heard of Forest Green Rovers to be honest, but I went there hoping to do well and go again. I should have done more due diligence and realistically, stayed at Rangers.”
His time at Forest Green got off to the worst possible start after suffering an injury shortly after arriving.
“I got injured almost straight away so it was a bit of a nightmare.
“It sounds silly now because I was at one of the biggest clubs in the world, but I just wanted to play and get experience because I only had a handful of games at 21.
“I should have stayed where I was.”
Despite describing the transfer as a mistake, McCann said one of the biggest positives from his spell at Forest Green was working under former manager Steve Cotterill, with whom he developed a close relationship.
“It probably took me a little longer than some lads to get the gaffer’s way of working, out of a bit of immaturity and inexperience from my side.
“Having been at Man United and Rangers and not seen the ‘real side’ of football, to then have someone coming in and telling you how it is and what it needs to be, I probably didn’t take too well to it at first.
“But over time, I got to know him and realise how much he cares and looks after you – he means well in everything he does.
“It sometimes comes across a certain way at certain points, or it might come across as an arm around the shoulder at others. But when you get to know him as a character, you understand the reasons behind things.
“After taking me a few months to realise that, we had a great relationship and I really enjoyed playing under him.”
McCann also admitted Cotterill’s departure left him wanting a fresh start.
“It was a bit of a shock coming back for pre-season last year and him not being there. Everyone knows my situation – after that I didn’t want to be there.”
