Wallace relishing Euro adventure

22 July 2011 09:30

Lee Wallace is ready to boost Rangers' European hopes after beating Thursday night's Champions League deadline to sign for the Scottish champions.

The 23-year-old put pen to paper on a five-year deal after a fee of £1.5million was agreed with Hearts following two previous failed attempts by Rangers to land the defender. The left-back could make his debut against his former club in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League this weekend, before facing Swedish side Malmo in next week's Champions League qualifier.

Wallace said: "I've experienced the Champions League once before with Hearts and it was great. I've had that hunger to be involved in the tournament ever since. Hopefully I will be in the manager's plans and working hard and it will come about."

Wallace is now keen to repay the faith shown in him by new boss Ally McCoist after being handed a bumper five-year contract.

And he also wants to prove that he is good enough to make the step up to a side who will be aiming for their fourth successive SPL title this term.

He said: "There is always the pressure and it's a huge responsibility but I want to progress. It's great security and great faith that has been put in me.

"I need to work hard and I need to repay that. I'm now at a huge club that's playing European football and who have got winners in the dressing room and I ultimately want to become a winner.

"It's a high level, it's a great club and it's just something that I want to be part of. Given the chance, I'll be working hard and hopefully trying to push my way into the team and capture the success."

Until Thursday, business in the transfer market had been slow for Rangers, who have missed out on a number of targets following the capture of Spanish midfielder Juan Manuel Ortiz earlier this month.

But the signing of Wallace came on the same day the club confirmed they had signed USA international Alejandro Bedoya on a pre-contract agreement subject to a work permit.

Source: PA