MARK WARBURTON insists he has signed a centre-half more than capable of implementing his philosophy of passing football in Rob Kiernan.

Warburton wants his new-look Rangers side to build from the back and knows Kiernan well from past spells together at Watford and Brentford.

The 24-year-old Irishman has arrived at Ibrox in a £200,000 deal from Wigan Athletic and his manager is supremely confident in the technical ability he will bring to the side.

"As a young player, for me, an outstanding range of pass," said Warburton.

"The way he hit the ball with both feet was magnificent and we took him to the Milk Cup in Ireland and watched him play so well over there.

"We took him on loan to Brentford and then he got signed up at Wigan. At Birmingham last yea,r he did very well at Championship level and I know he had offers to go back to the Championship so we've had to try to hijack that and get him here.

"I want players who want to be here and within five seconds of saying to Rob about this possibility he was over the moon.

"I'm delighted to get hold of Rob. He's passionate about playing football, technically gifted, 6' 3" and he's a good specimen as well

"Rob just loves playing football. He played comfortably in the Championship last year down south and had offers to go back down into the Championship, but, when he heard about this here, you could hear immediately his excitement.

"He wants to play football, he wants to get on the ball and impress, he wants to be the best player and that's how Rob is.

"He's well liked in the dressing room, well liked off the pitch and he'll really add value here at Ibrox."

Warburton claims he is also bringing in a player with boundless enthusiasm.

"He has good character, really good character," said Warburton on the Rangers website. "Whenever you speak to Rob, it's like Christmas morning. He just wants to play football, always has done.

"I think we had him at Watford at 12 or 13 years of age and he's always been the same.

"For him to work alongside someone like Davie Weir will be fantastic as a centre half, a footballing centre half."