MERVAN CELIK is expected to sign a three-and-a-half year deal with Rangers today and revealed how Ally McCoist's influence persuaded him to turn down other offers to move to Scotland.
The 21-year-old Swede is a free agent after leaving GAIS in his homeland last month, although his former club would still be due compensation for their role in developing the player.
The forward is believed to have had offers from clubs in England and Germany but was suitably impressed on a recent visit to Ibrox and Murray Park to commit his future to the Scottish champions.
"The Rangers manager believes in me and I was treated very well when I was there and familiarised myself with the club," he said. "Everything was professional and well run. Now I am just looking forward to pulling on a Rangers shirt and scoring goals for the club.
"There was interest from other teams, but that's not important. Only Rangers' interest mattered. I am looking forward to meeting the fans. Rangers have 45,000 supporters every week, which is cool."
Hakan Ericson, co-manager of the Swedish under-21 side, believes Rangers are signing a player in the same mould as a certain Manchester United forward. "Mervan reminds me a bit of Wayne Rooney. He cannot read the game as well as Rooney, who is fantastic at linking with his team-mates and finding them in good positions – and that is something that Mervan has to work at a bit more. But when he has the ball and he is running at players, Rooney's a good comparison."
Ericson outlined what qualities Celik will bring to Rangers. "He is a really powerful player. He is very quick, he is very fit and very strong. He is more right-footed than left, and he has an excellent shot.
"I have used him as a winger for the national team in recent years, both on the left and the right, and as a wide midfielder coming into the middle of the field from the wings.
"I have also used him as a striker, as he has a good eye for goal. "
Meanwhile, Rangers are likely to make a contract offer to free agent Enar Jaager after the defender impressed while on trial with the Ibrox club.
The Estonian, who has been capped 84 times by his country, played in the Euro 2012 play-off defeat by the Republic of Ireland in November.
Jaager has also played for Ascoli in Italy and with the Russian side, Torpedo Moscow.
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