So glad that I Cam here

Dorrans has the quality to be a big hero at Ibrox says old pal Snodgrass

NOBODY knows Rangers’ latest signing Graham Dorrans quite like Robert Snodgrass.

The Scotland stars were raised in Glasgow’s east end, played in the same youth team then broke through at Livingston together. They have enjoyed careers which have run almost parallel.

If anyone knows what motivates the Ibrox new boy then it’s West Ham playmaker Snodgrass. They have played on the same team and as opponents on numerous occasions during their careers south of the border.

It has been a week to forget for Rangers fans after the first storm they faced on their return to Europe sank their ship. A truly horrific 2-0 defeat against Luxembourg minnows Progres Niederkorn ended their Europa League dream in the first qualifying round.

The 30-year-old Dorrans put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Ibrox yesterday and the man who starred with him at youth level feels it is the best piece of business done by the Light Blues in a long time.

Snodgrass said: “Firstly I’m delighted he’s got a move to his boyhood club. He will be a great signing for Rangers.

“He’s a quiet boy. He will let his football do the talking. I don’t know much about the new signings but Graham is definitely the best signing Rangers have made in a long time.

“He is a terrific player who has done well in the English Premier League and Championship. He loves Rangers, he absolutely adores them, and it will mean everything for him to play for his boyhood club.

“He won’t be shouting from the rooftops. But he can handle himself, he’s a feisty little character. He’ll get stuck in for tackles any chance he gets.

“His passing ability is second to none and his set-pieces are real quality. He’s one of the best players I’ve played with during my career and is someone who can make a real difference for Rangers.”

The pair, who got moves to England in their early 20s – to West Brom and Leeds United respectively – have always enjoyed winding each other up when it comes to the Old Firm.

The West Ham star expects Dorrans to make a big impact with his boyhood club – but he’s hoping his mate doesn’t turn it on in games against the Hoops.

He added: “He’ll take to it like a duck to water. As long as he doesn’t do it against Celtic because then I would be cursing him. We always had banter along with James McArthur when we were younger. The two of them are mad Rangers fans and I’m a mad Celtic fan.

“We wind each up other any chance we get so I just hope he’s not the one winding me up at the end of the season.

“It was clear he was a huge Rangers fan and wanted to ply his trade with them. We were at Livingston together, that’s when we became friends.

“We had played at Rangers South Boys Club after meeting when we were 12. James also played alongside us.

“I’ll be wishing Graham well but not against Celtic. That’s just part and parcel of growing up in Glasgow together and what it means when the Old Firm clash.”

One surprise development in the Dorrans story is his reinvention as a combative central midfielder. The former West Brom man made his name as a winger who loved nothing more than scoring goals in the early part of his career.

So no one was more surprised by the positional change than Snodgrass – but he reckons his old pal has shown the versatility to make it work.

He added: “I didn’t see it coming, I just didn’t picture him playing that kind of role. For me he was always an attacker and now he’s playing more as a sitting midfielder. He’s always had the passing range but I was just so used to seeing him in a more attacking role.

“I think the biggest change in his game was when Roy Hodgson became manager at West Brom.

“He changed a lot of Graham’s style and adapted the way he played – and it has worked.

“The switch hasn’t really helped him at international level as the likes of Darren Fletcher and Scott Brown have been in there. I believe if he had been still playing as a striker or on the left wing he would have had more opportunities to play for Scotland.”

As good as life in England has been for Dorrans, former Norwich star Snodgrass says penning a deal at Ibrox has been the biggest dream.

He said: “The one thing Graham wanted throughout his career is to play for Rangers. He always wanted to play for the team he supported and he’ll give everything to be a success at Ibrox.” ROBERT SNODGRASS

EXCLUSIVE

ADE AZEEZ admits leaving Partick Thistle for Cambridge United has left him grinning from ear to ear.

The striker has been snapped up by the League Two club for an undisclosed fee after spending last season with the Jags.

Azeez, who began his career at Charlton, said: “I’ve driven down from Scotland with a big smile on my face because I’m really excited to move to Cambridge.

“There has always been a really good feel about this club. I knew this was the right place to come.”