Source: Team_Talk
Beattie on board at Rangers
Rangers have confirmed the signing of former England striker James Beattie from Stoke for an undisclosed fee, reportedly £1.5million.[LNB] The Ibrox club have called a media conference for Friday afternoon where they will unveil the 32-year-old.[LNB]The former Blackburn forward travelled to Glasgow for talks with Rangers chief executive and manager Walter Smith and has now put pen to paper.[LNB]Beattie was at Murray Park on Friday to put his signature to a two-year contract, with a further one-year option.[LNB]The Englishman is Smith's first signing since Maurice Edu arrived at Ibrox two years ago.[LNB]Beattie has declared himself fit to play for Rangers in their Scottish Premier League opener against Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Saturday.[LNB]And he is excited by the prospect of appearing in front of 50,000 supporters.[LNB]"I'm delighted to sign for a club like Glasgow Rangers and it was quite a quick deal as far as I'm concerned," Beattie said at the media conference.[LNB]"I came to Ibrox on Thursday morning and was met by the gaffer and (chief executive) Martin Bain.[LNB]"They showed me around the stadium, which was magnificent and you can see it is a club steeped in history.[LNB]"I then walked out on to the pitch, which was magnificent.[LNB]"The walk out, even when the stadium was empty, was something so I'm looking forward to walking out when it's full.[LNB]"There was interest from other clubs but when you come here and speak to Walter Smith and have a look around, the decision was easy."
