Charlie Adam believes play-off win would vindicate decision to quit Rangers

The highly-rated midfielder, 24, spent the latter part of the 2008-09 season at Bloomfield Road on loan from Rangers and looked set to return to fight for his long-term future at Ibrox.

Yet Ian Holloway, newly appointed at Blackpool last summer, persuaded Adam to move to the unfashionable Lancashire outfit in a permanent 500,000 transfer.

The Seasiders had spent the previous campaign fighting relegation and were favourites for the drop this season, but Holloway has performed a remarkable job and led his men to the brink of the Barclays Premier League.

Adam said: "The gaffer came in last summer and told me that he'd get me to where I wanted to be and where we wanted to go as a club.

"He said: 'It would be great for you to get into the Premier League and hopefully it will be with us'.

"It was a gamble but I've got the utmost respect for him and I trust him with my career.

"He showed a lot of faith in me in paying the money he did. I don't think he'd even seen me that much – maybe just on DVDs.

"Hopefully I have repaid him in some way and if I can score a goal for him on Saturday it would be great. We have a lot of respect for each other because he's a terrific man."

Their relationship grew even closer in January when Adam, whose 18 goals for Blackpool this season have marked him out as one of the finest players outside of the top flight, was the subject of a 3million bid from Middlesbrough.

Blackpool rejected the offer and Holloway again reassured Adam that his career prospects were best served at Bloomfield Road.

Adam – who has established himself in Craig Levein's Scotland squad – explained: "Middlesbrough came in and made a bid, but the gaffer told me the club were not accepting it.

"That was fine. He said, 'Don't let it affect you' and I think January was probably my best month. I scored four goals in a row and got player of the month.

"I've been rewarded in the right way and now we're 90 minutes away from the Premier League. From going from fighting relegation last year to a play-off final is fantastic.

"We're one game away from making history and becoming legends at this club.

"It's been almost 40 years since that happened (Blackpool appearing in the top flight] and I just hope that on the day we're good enough. Where we are is fantastic but we can't stop now."

There is trust and undeniable progress in every aspect of Holloway's regime and the club stand on the brink of returning to the top flight for the first time since 1971.

"The manager is mad but you'll never change him," admitted Adam.

"Everybody thinks that he's a joker and he is with the media. But when it's time to work on Monday to Friday, and on matchdays, the lads respond in the right way. You can count on one hand the amount of bad performances that we've had this year. That tells you everything.

"Winning promotion would show that I made the right decision to come here – nothing more. I've got nothing to prove to Rangers or anybody else.

"All I have to do is show my manager here what I'm capable of and hopefully we can earn the right to face some of the best players in the world and walk out at Old Trafford, Anfield and Stamford Bridge next season."

PLAY-OFF SCOTS

THE Championship play-off final at Wembley is likely to feature several Scots, with both Blackpool and Cardiff City relying on a sizeable tartan contingent.

BLACKPOOL

Charlie Adam

Has enjoyed an outstanding season in the heart of the Seasiders' midfield since his 500,000 move from Rangers. Such was his form that Blackpool felt compelled to reject a 3 million bid from Middlesbrough for the player. Has scored 18 goals and won a recall to the full Scotland squad, playing in the friendly win over the Czech Republic.

Stephen Crainey

Now in his third season at Bloomfield Road, the former Celtic full-back is a regular fixture in the Blackpool defence following spells at Southampton and Leeds.

Stephen Dobbie

Striker scored the crucial goal in the play-off semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest. Currently on loan at Blackpool from Swansea, the club he joined last summer from Queen of the South.

Barry Bannan

The under-21 internationalist has made 20 league appearances, mainly from the bench, during his period on loan from Aston Villa.

Stephen Husband

A fringe member of the first-team squad, Husband joined Blackpool from Hearts for 25,000 in January.

CARDIFF CITY

David Marshall

Hero of Cardiff's semi-final play-off win over Leicester when he saved two penalties in the shoot-out. Has five caps for Scotland.

Kevin McNaughton

Versatile defender has spent four years with Cardiff following his move from Aberdeen. Has been capped four times by Scotland.

Chris Burke

Skilful winger has enjoyed the most productive season of his career so far, making over 50 appearances. Joined Cardiff from Rangers in January last year. Two caps.

Paul Quinn

Moved to the Welsh club from Motherwell last summer in a 300,000 deal and has proven a useful squad member, starting 18 league games.

Ross McCormack

The star of last season when he scored 23 goals, forced his way into the Scotland team and drew admiring glances from clubs in the Premiership. Has struggled this term, and has found the net just six times.

Gavin Rae

Has made over 100 league appearances for Cardiff following his move from Rangers in summer 2007. But has not played since early April after suffering a serious ankle tendon injury.