A call with Reyna was clincher in Ibrox move
experience was. I think that was a motivating factor for me. If I can make anywhere
near the impact he made then it will be successful for me and the club.’ Rangers remain in the market for a winger this month and are also eyeing pre-contract moves for Hearts’ John Souttar and Vitesse Arnhem defender Danilho Doekhi. But Sands is the first new arrival after the club-record £12million sale of Nathan Patterson to Everton earlier this week. Capable of playing as a holding midfielder or in central defence, he left New York having helped them claim a first-ever MLS Cup last month. With Rangers holding a sixpoint lead in the Premiership going into the winter break, Sands is now excited by the possibility of adding further silverware to his CV. ‘It’s a massive moment for me coming to a club with such good traditions and a winning history,’ he told Rangers TV. ‘It’s a big step for me. I’m really looking forward to getting in with a good group of players and the coaches. It’s an exciting time. ‘With the ambitions Rangers have both domestically here in Scotland and in Europe, it made sense to go to a club that has those ambitions. ‘They are willing to work on my development as a player and as a person. So that was a big reason. ‘Also, to play in front of a fanbase like Rangers is huge for me in terms of learning how to play in those environments.
‘Now is a good time because I have achieved a lot of what I wanted to in the MLS. Winning the trophy at the end of the season was the perfect send-off from New York.’
JAMES SANDS has revealed how a conversation with former Rangers star Claudio Reyna helped sell him on a move to Ibrox. The 21-year-old American international is Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s first signing after agreeing an 18-month loan from New York City FC. Sands came through the academy set-up at New York when Reyna was head of football operations. And he sought the view of the ex-midfielder — a title winner with Dick Advocaat’s Rangers side in 2000 — before sealing the trans-Atlantic move. ‘Rangers have a great tradition of American players, players who have done well and made an impact,’ said Sands. ‘When I knew Rangers were interested, I gave Claudio a call and he gave me great advice. He told me what it was like and how great his