Double Signing For Rangers

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Rangers have completed the double signing of James Tavernier and Martyn Waghorn from Wigan.

The pair have both signed three-year contracts with the Ladbrokes Championship club.

They join former Latics team-mate Rob Kiernan in moving to Ibrox this summer, along with former Hearts captain Danny Wilson and former Middlesbrough winger Andy Halliday.

Powerful former Sunderland and Leicester forward Waghorn, 25, has struck eight goals in 18 months with Wigan while Tavernier spent the second half of last season on loan with Bristol City.

The 23-year-old right-back started his career at Newcastle and has also had loan spells with Gateshead, Carlisle, MK Dons, Sheffield Wednesday, Shrewsbury and Rotherham.

Tavernier revealed the reputation of Rangers and the chance to work with manager Mark Warburton had attracted him to Glasgow.

He told the club's official website: "Rangers are a massive club and as soon as there was interest there was no thinking about it.

"The history of the club, what they have achieved in Europe and in Scotland made it an easy decision for me.

"It is a great opportunity to play up here and the recognition that you can get playing for Rangers is huge."

He added: "As soon as I spoke to Mark he had already sold it to me, the way he wants to go and the way he wants to play fitted my football.

"Everything about it was perfect for me and the platform he has put the club on made it an easy decision."

Tavernier is looking for a hat-trick of promotions after helping Rotherham and Bristol City move up divisions in the past two seasons.

"You get different kinds of pressure with a promotion race, some lads feel it in different ways, and for me I like to play with a bit of pressure, it always makes me perform better and I enjoy it," he said.

Waghorn also highlighted the influence of Warburton and assistant David Weir.

"I know the way they played with Brentford having played against them a few times," he said.

"I hadn't really met them on a personal level, but when I sat down with them and they got across their ideas and how they want to play, it was brilliant.

"It's exactly how I want to play and how I see my football going. It was a no-brainer.

"I see myself being here for the long-term. The club has been through its troubles, but hopefully it is now on the right way. We have a good gaffer in and a good set of coaches.

"It's a project, and with the players he has brought in there is only one way the club is going to go and that's forward.

"So I'm really proud, really pleased, and grateful to be a part of it. Hopefully I can bring my best and do my best for the club."