• The factors that sold him on a move to Ibrox
  • Dismissing the abuse from Aberdeen supporters
  • Silverware and Scotland aspirations

How does it feel to be sitting here as a Rangers player?

I am absolutely delighted to be here. I have settled in very quickly with the boys and we have all hit the ground running so far. It is a pleasure for me to be here at this club and I can’t wait to get going and get the season started off.

What were the biggest factors in choosing Rangers?

There were a lot of factors. It is such a big club, with great people, great staff and a great following. The decision was made easy as soon as I spoke to the club. It is the place I wanted to be and I can’t wait to get going.

There were reports from interest from abroad as well?

As I said, as soon as I spoke to the staff and people around the club the only place I wanted to be was Rangers Football Club.

There is animosity between Aberdeen and Rangers – was there any thought about that?

No. As a player, you have got to do things for yourself sometimes and do what is best for your career at the right time. I pay my thanks to Aberdeen, they have brought me up from a boy into the player that I am today. I thank them for everything they have done to help me get here in my career. As I say, it is the next chapter of my career now at Rangers Football Club and I can’t wait to get going.

Did you expect to have that kind of reaction from the Aberdeen fans?

To be honest, I haven’t seen anything. All I do is focus on my job on the pitch. I don’t go on social media or anything like that. That is not my job. My job is to go on the pitch and perform and let my football do the talking.

What did the manager and Nils Koppen said to you to convince you this was the right place to progress as a player?

Look, a lot of it is personal stuff that gets kept in house. The decision was made easy with the chats we had. We see it already on day four of pre-season. Straight away it feels home for me.

Were there people that you spoke to before the move?

I spoke to a few before I came, players that have played in the past and players that were here already. I obviously play with some at Under-21s as well. I got a really good feel from everyone that I spoke to, there was nothing bad said. The decision was easy.

Did it add to the appeal knowing the manager will have a rebuild this summer?

When a manager comes to sign you, it is always a great feeling. The gaffer here has done that. He has showed that he likes me as a player and that is all you can ask for. It is about me going and doing my bits on the pitch and making sure I do everything every day to get into that team and be a big player for this club.

If you were to encounter abuse from Aberdeen fans will you be able to handle that?

Yeah. It doesn’t get to me. Not at all. It doesn’t get to me. When you are a club the size of Rangers, that can’t get into your head. If it does then there is a problem.

How do you feel you will handle the expectations?

I am a big character myself. I have been through a lot in my career so far and experienced many things and I want more experiences to come at this club and hopefully successful times ahead.

Are you looking to add more goals to your game?

Yeah, definitely. It is something that I will be working closely with the staff every day in training to add to my game. At times at Aberdeen I came up with a couple and then circumstances are different in terms of the team and the way we want to play. Coming to a team who play very nice football in a fluent way should help me add that to my game.

Was there every any thought about going abroad?

As I said, when I spoke to Rangers it was a no-brainer for me. That is where I wanted to be and I am here now. It is about me doing what I can on the pitch to make this club even more successful than what it is.

What are your international ambitions?

My aim is to get into that full squad as well. That has been an ambition of mine since I was a young boy. That won’t change. As I said, a footballer does the talking on the pitch. If you perform you put yourself in the window to get into it. That is out of my hands and not my number one priority right now. My priority is to focus on club football and performing there will get me into the A squad. That will come in time hopefully.

What do the players feel about the uncertainty over the home games at the start of the season?

We haven’t spoken about it to be honest. That gets handled outwith the dressing room. Our job is on the pitch and in training to make sure we are the best version of ourselves every day and we are a team. Wherever that may be it will be and we just need to make sure we go into the season strong.