Kieran Dowell spoke to the media for the first time as a Rangers player last week. The interview was embargoed until today and here's everything he had to say.

Are you excited about the move?

It means a lot to me. When I first met the manager, he told me it was a new challenge and he really sold it to me - so I’m really excited. The intensity up here will be unlike anything I’ve seen in the English Championship and that’s a big reason why I wanted to come. 

What will you bring? 

The first thing is to work as hard as you can on the pitch and training ground to allow your talent to come through. I’m a creative player and I feel I can help the team by scoring and creating goals. 

What advice did Todd Cantwell give you?

He’s had an amazing start and when I first got in contact with the manager, I was straight on the phone to Todd. I was asking him how he’s found it so far and he was raving about it. He said it’s something different but it’s something that he’s really enjoyed. Just like the manager, Todd really sold it to me as well. 

Where will you fit in? 

I’m a versatile player. I can play as a no.8, no.10, deeper or wide off the right. There are a number of positions where I can fit in and the manager can adapt to the game. There are plenty of opportunities for me but there are a lot of talented players in the group and that’s healthy.

How important was Michael Beale’s faith in you? 

Massive. That was another big influence behind the reason why I came here. Obviously, I was out of contract this summer and he got in touch with me early doors. I really took notice of that and made up my mind pretty quickly. A lot of managers reach out like that but the enthusiasm he had for me coming to the club and his plans for me were the deciding factors. 

 

Why do you view the spotlight at Rangers as an attraction? 

That’s the job that we are in. If you don’t embrace it then you will fall by the wayside. Unless you embrace it then you shouldn’t be in the game. This is one of the pinnacles of that intensity and I’ve seen that from the fans. I saw that in the last home game of the season with the reception they gave the lads that were leaving. There was nothing really on the game but the reception they gave the lads was unbelievable. 

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Does knowing Todd, John Lundstram and Tom Lawrence make it easier to bed in?

100 percent. I’ve never really had that before at other clubs and it’s already helped. We’ve been out for dinner already, they’ve told me where’s good to stay in the area and things like that. 

Winning the title? 

That’s what I came here to do and that’s the ambition of the manager too. It’s plain to see the amount of business that we’ve done so far and the competition for places. It’s only going to stand us in good stead and that’s the aim of everyone at the club. 

Did you keep an eye on Scottish football during your time in England? 

Obviously the European games and from knowing Lunny as well. That was a massive moment for him in the semi-final and I’ve kept an eye on the bigger games as well - obviously the Old Firms. I’ve known a few Rangers fans from other clubs so they’re always talking about it. I was knocking around with Kenny McLean and Billy Gilmour so you pick things up. 

Standard of training? 

The intensity of training has been really high and there are lots of new players. You want to impress the manager and new teammates so we are starting to get to grips with how the manager wants us to play.

Fitness record after injury issues? 

With the timing of the injury, I was almost fit once the season ended. I was aiming for the play-offs with Norwich, which we didn’t get into so I’ve been ticking over since the season ended. That’s been frustrating time wise but it means I’ll be fresh for when the season starts at Rangers. 

What can Rangers fans expect? 

I’m a creative player. I like to play forward, take risks on the ball, take a pop at goal and try to slide someone through. I like to try and create goals for the team.