New recruit is ready for battle in lower reaches

Alison McConnell

Football Writer

Saturday 4 August 2012

Ian Black is not averse to the odd scrap on a football pitch.

Ian Black refused the overtures of clubs in England to move to Rangers this summer. Picture: SNS

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Alison McConnell

The midfielder would appear to have picked his biggest fight yet as he looks to help Rangers battle their way back into the Scottish Premier League.

In opting to move to a club starting afresh in the Irn-Bru Third Division, Black stands to spend the next three seasons, at least, in an arena which is often viewed as a bruising and unrefined. There are those who believe the former Hearts and Inverness Caledonian Thistle player will fit right in. Yet that is a simplistic assessment.

Black's reputation goes before him. The belief that he is little more than a combative and belligerent midfielder was challenged last season, though, as he proved an adept playmaker as Hearts won the Scottish Cup. That had led to interest from clubs in the npower Championship and it seemed likely he would move on to England as Hearts were unable to meet the demands of a new deal.He has engaged with a very different challenge and is aware that there will be many within the third division who will want to make a name for themselves by putting him on his backside. Typically, though, Black will not shy away from anyone wanting to focus on the more robust aspects of the game."I'll give as good as I get," he said. "We know we are going to have to stand up in a few games and be counted and I'm sure the manager knows I'm ready for that. I'm relishing the chance to pull this jersey on and start the competitive games. If it's tough then I am ready for that and if they kick me then I'll just have to deal with it."I left Hearts a legend after playing against Hibs in the final and winning that. I've come here and from where we are I can be part of something special if we can go out and achieve what we're planning to do."Now 27, Black's next career move was always going to be an important one. Given that he is commanding a £7000-a-week salary on a three-year contract at Rangers, the move to Ibrox has offered financial security. Yet his ambition has been questioned given the level of interest that had developed during an impressive campaign. "I'd just say to people, 'would you play for Rangers in front of 30,000, 40,000 fans backing you every second week?'," said Black. "There were a few Championship clubs interested and a couple up in Scotland. I had good options but what attracted me here was to be part of this and the size of the club."Everybody wants to play as high as they can but we are where we are. I knew that coming in and it didn't faze me. I just want to get going. People will ask me why but the option to come to a club like this doesn't come very often."Having injured Nikica Jelavic while at Hearts – an incident he had to apologise for –there will likely have been some Rangers fans perturbed his arrival. Yet he will likely have curried favour with a few with his assessment of the club's current situation. "Not being biased because I am in here now, but I thought the punishment and how long it took was unbelievable," he said.* Ian Black was at Ibrox promoting sales for season tickets. The deadline is August 7.

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New recruit is ready for battle in lower reaches

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