Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie has been named Holland captain and he has spoken out about his much-criticised silence during Euro 2012.
The 29-year old had a disappointing tournament last summer, only managing to find the net once, and he shunned the media throughout the games.
Van Persie has just been named captain of the national team and he says that staying quiet during Euro 2012 was not a choice he made himself.
"That was a wish of my club Arsenal and that had everything to do with the sensitivity of my proposed transfer to Manchester United," he said.
"I didn't estimate the outcome really at the time. Maybe I was too na?ve.
"To be the only one to not talk, I became a mythical figure and the outside world thought I was placing myself out of the group."
Van Persie was filmed on the phone shortly after Holland's 1-0 defeat to Denmark, fuelling further speculation, but he insists there was nothing to it.
"And when I was calling on the pitch after the game against Denmark, that was the evidence. Nonsense, that had nothing to do with it. I just wanted to call my wife and children. I do that after every game.
"Only I had no phone range outside, therefore I walked on the outskirts of the fields. Unluckily I was logged by a camera.
"If I had to do it all over again, I don't know if I would do it the same way. I don't think so to be honest."
On Thursday, Kieran Prior bought 785 thousand shares in the club at a total cost of almost ?400,000 and says he would like to be offered 'a non-executive position on the board.'
The 34-year-old former Goldman Sachs trader is keen to increase his stake and says he wants to reassure Rangers' fans he has the club's best interests at heart.
He told the Daily Record: "I can confirm I've purchased 1.2 per cent of the club and I plan to increase my stake in the next 24 hours, subject to supply.
"I've put my money where my mouth is. I understand the scepticism by fans, given the way they've been mistreated in the past.
"However, it's my aim to instil a degree of confidence among the supporters and I've done what I said I would do.
"I've heard a lot of good soundbites but no effective planning and education of the fans.
"I'm no knight in shining armour but now I can look inside the club and ask questions to which the fans deserve answers to."
Prior, who has cerebral palsy and has been disabled since birth, is originally from Salford but now based in London.
He runs private equity firm PriArc and Prior admits he would be interested in a boardroom role at Ibrox but only if invited by the club's current directors.
He added: "If I'm offered a board position I would not decline it but directors should be voted on, not placed there or coerced into position.
"It would be an honour to be offered a non-executive position on the board."
