I want to be just like Davis and Ferguson, says Docherty

GREG DOCHERTY hopes to follow in the footsteps of midfield heroes Barry Ferguson and Steven Davis after completing his move to Rangers. The 21-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract to conclude a £680,000 transfer from Hamilton, who are locked in talks with Aberdeen over the sale of Michael Devlin. Docherty is Graeme Murty’s fifth January signing after the loan arrivals of Sean Goss, Jamie Murphy, Russell Martin and Jason Cummings. A lifelong Rangers fan, the Scotland Under-21 cap pointed towards two past players as inspirations for the style he aims to show at Ibrox. ‘Barry Ferguson and Steven Davis,’ said Docherty. ‘Davis more recently, but Barry Ferguson, particularly in the UEFA Cup run. ‘Both guys have captained the club at different points and gone on to have fantastic careers. I’d like to emulate them and, hopefully, have a

career just as good as theirs in a Rangers jersey. If I can do that, I’ll be happy. ‘As a player, I’m direct, and I’d like to say I’m strong and a runner that can contribute at the top end of the pitch. ‘Hopefully I can contribute some assists and goals, and excite the fans a little bit.’ Docherty had been with Hamilton since the age of seven and insisted moving to Ibrox fulfilled one of his ultimate ambitions. ‘I’m speechless, to be honest,’ he told Rangers TV. ‘It means so much and words cannot explain how much this means. ‘I’ve always dreamed of playing for Rangers during my career, but for it to come so early is just an extra bonus. When I heard of the interest, there was only one place for me. ‘I want to be part of something special here, and I think that is the plan. That’s what was sold to me by Mark Allen, etc — they told about their five-year plan and get Rangers back where they belong.’ Defender Devlin, meanwhile, could follow Docherty out of Hamilton as Aberdeen close in on his capture. Accies claimed on Wednesday that they had reached an agreement with Preston that could see their captain join the English Championship club until the end of the season. However, Preston backed away from that interest to leave the way clear for the Dons.

Sportsmail understands negotiations have progressed but that any deal would be subject to Devlin — out of contract with Hamilton in the summer — agreeing personal terms and passing a medical. The 24-year-old hasn’t played this season because of injury but is closing in on fitness.