Injured Rangers' goalkeeper Lionel Charbon-nnier had a special welcome for his fellow countryman Stephane Guivarc'h when he arrived as the latest Ibrox signing yesterday.
''The last time the two were together was in the summer when they were members of the victorious French squad at the World Cup finals.
Yesterday they were re-united and Guivarc'h, who turned down previous attempts by Rangers to sign him, claimed: ''I was very impressed by the club when I was here last May before the World Cup - but, then, I thought that it was better for me to play in the Premiership in England.
That has changed and the good impressions I had in the summer came back to influence me and, of course, I had Lionel to tell me that all I had thought before was correct. This is a big club and I am happy to be here now.''
Guivarc'h, whose spell at Newcastle United ended more or less when Kenny Dalglish parted company with the club, signals the end of major spending by Rangers' Dutch coach Dick Advocaat. He cost the club #3.5m and at yesterday's press conference, Advocaat confirmed: ''Stephane was always my first option when it came to signing another striker. He was the first one I identified and now any other interests have gone.
''The Brazilian, Christian, will not be coming now. This is the player I wanted.
''I do not blame him for choosing the English League when he had the first opportunity to come here. All that matters now is that he is a Rangers player.''
Guivarc'h added: ''I would like to help the club to European success but I would also want to help them win the title.''
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