Source: FOOTYMAD
Wallace Gets His Wish
Lee Wallace can now do someting more positive to help Rangers than jsut be in the crowd. Lee Wallace has declared himself ready to to help achieve the Rangers' European abitions after beating Thursday's Champions League deadline to join the Ibrox side. Thedefender signed a five-year deal after a fee of £1.5million was agreed with Hearts following two previous failed attempts by Rangers.. The left-back could make his debut against his former club in the SPL opener at Ibrox at lunchtime tomorrow, before facing Swedish side Malmo in next week's Champions League qualifier.Wallace was in attendance when Rangers secured a goalless draw against Manchester United last season and is now determined to have a part to play on the pitch this time around. He said: "Going to Old Trafford and getting a point was great. The whole spectacle, the fans, the platform - it's everything I want to be involved in and it's great that it has finally come around. 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 manager Ally McCoist after being handed a bumper five-year contract. 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. 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."Wallace's rival for the left-back role is Sasa Papac and he is relishing the challenge, as well as the opportunity to learn from his new team-mates. He said: "These are top players and players I can learn from. Training with these players every day can only benefit me and that's what I'm looking for. I'll certainly be working hard to try to progress into the team."On the prospect of facing his former club so quickly, he said: "I'm ambitious and I've come here to try to progress my career. With the fans, I hope there is no hate and that takes care of itself. I appreciate everything that was done at Hearts. There were some down points in my career and a lot of people stood by me, the club stood by me and the fans stood by me. I've matured and I'm thankful to everyone around Hearts football club and I appreciate everything they have done". Wallace admits taking on his ex-teamamtes so soon is not an ideal sitiation, adding: "It's tough mentally but as a professional it's just something that you need to block out. I'm a Rangers player now and I want Rangers to win. It's just tough luck that that's the situation and I just have to get on with it."
