CAPTAIN WALLACE SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM DEAL
LEE WALLACE last night committed his long-term future to Rangers after signing a new contract until 2019. The Ibrox skipper had one year remaining on his previous deal but, ahead of the club’s first season back in the Premiership in four years, agreed to put pen to paper on a further two years. The 28-year-old joined Rangers from Hearts back in 2011 and opted to remain with the Glasgow giants following the financial meltdown of the following year. Ally McCoist’s vice-captain in the lower leagues, Wallace was promoted to skipper when Mark Warburton arrived last summer. Wallace was one of three players who were everpresent for the club last season and becomes the latest player to pledge his future to the Ibrox side after Jason Holt and Andy Halliday signed extended deals in January. ‘Everyone that knows me at the club and outwith will know how delighted I am,’ said Wallace. ‘I knew I was going into the last year. The manager was aware of it, the club were aware of it so we just started the talks at the end of last season. ‘As you know, we had big games to play in that period, so I was happy enough to let it sail through until the summer and into pre-season. ‘But I think everybody knows my feelings on it. It’s really exciting times ahead and I’m hugely excited to be here for the next three years.’ Meanwhile, Matt Crooks and Josh Windass are now free to begin training with Rangers after the club agreed compensation with the duo’s former employers Accrington Stanley. The news comes just a day after Windass branded the English League Two outfit as ‘petty’ for refusing to let him and Crooks train with Mark Warburton’s side before June 30. The pair signed precontracts with Rangers in January before finishing the season with Accrington. An Accrington statement read: ‘Accrington Stanley and Rangers have agreed compensation terms for the move of Matt Crooks and Josh Windass to Ibrox. ‘The pair are now released from their obligations with the Reds and free to head north of the border to train with their new club. ‘Everyone at the Wham Stadium would like to thank Matt and Josh for their service in Stanley colours and wish them all the best for the next stage in their career.’ Rangers head to the USA next Monday to continue pre-season training and are likely to be joined by Niko Kranjcar, after it emerged the Croatian will fly to Glasgow tomorrow for a medical. The former Tottenham midfield playmaker, who is currently at New York Cosmos, will become Warburton’s sixth summer signing. He has already tied up Windass, Crooks, Jordan Rossiter, Joey Barton and Clint Hill.