Flanagan is grateful for a fresh start

JON FLANAGAN believes his move to Rangers can be a fresh start as he seeks to leave behind past troubles on and off the field. The former Liverpool full-back yesterday became Steven Gerrard’s seventh summer signing by agreeing a two-year deal and joining the club’s pre-season training camp in Spain. Flanagan’s progress on Merseyside was hampered by successive knee operations that left him sidelined for a total of 19 months. He also encountered issues in his personal life, receiving a 12-month community order in January after admitting to assaulting his girlfriend. Ibrox assistant manager Gary McAllister has already insisted Flanagan deserves a second chance by linking up with Gerrard once again. And the 25-year-old, capped once by England in 2014, is now keen to grasp the

opportunity to remind people of his talent. ‘I think it is a fresh start and it is a platform for me to build on,’ said Flanagan. ‘The past is the past, it is now time for a fresh start and that is with Rangers and I can’t wait to get going. ‘When I got the call from my agent and then spoke to Stevie, it was a no-brainer for me with the size of the club and what the fans are about. I am delighted to be here and, hopefully, I can show the fans what I am all about. ‘I think I am a no-nonsense footballer. I keep it simple, I don’t mind a tackle and when the going gets tough I am mentally strong. ‘I think I am different to the full-backs that we have got here, so it will be exciting and a lot of competition for places.’ Flanagan believes Rangers can emerge as title challengers under ex-Anfield team-mate Gerrard during the duration of his deal. ‘I played with him at Liverpool for many years,’ he told Rangers TV. I know all about the club and everything like that but Stevie was a massive influence in me coming here as well. ‘I always watched (Scottish football) on Sky. I was always aware of it and it is a massive league and one that we, as Rangers, are going to try and push on to get the title. We all know Liverpool is a massive club but Rangers are just as big. ‘The pressure is as massive at both clubs. I have dealt with that at Liverpool and I’m more than willing to deal with it here at Rangers.’ Flanagan follows Scott Arfield, Allan McGregor, Jamie Murphy, Ovie Ejaria, Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic in signing this summer. Liverpool loanee Ejaria yesterday joined up with the squad while Graham Dorrans left the training camp. It’s understood the Scotland midfielder had returned home for a precautionary check on a potential recurrence of a previous knee injury. ‘It’s a very exciting time for Rangers now,’ added Flanagan. ‘The new manager has come in and freshened things up. It’s brilliant to be a Rangers fan and a player now.’ Meanwhile, the first leg of Rangers’ Europa League first qualifying round tie against FK Shkupi has been confirmed for Ibrox on Thursday, July 12. Gerrard’s side will travel to Macedonia for the return leg the following Tuesday.