IT has taken only 48 hours for Rangers chairman David Murray to honour the pledge he made earlier this week to manager Walter Smith.
Eloquently demonstrating that the ''era of short-term fixes'' is over, Murray yesterday kick-started what he believes will be the long-term Ibrox European revolution by announcing the biggest signing package in the club's history, a #5.6m double deal for defenders Lorenzo Amoruso and Staale Stensaas - and then he confirmed there would be more to follow.
''This is just the start of the rebuilding process which I promised,'' said the chairman. ''Another two or three players will be signed yet, before the end of the close season.''
The 6ft 2in Italian, Amoruso, cost #3.95m and is Scotland's most expensive defensive signing. The sum is little short of the world record for a defender, the #4.5m paid by Everton for Slaven Bilic - yet Amoruso could have topped his #12,000 a week Ibrox wage by signing for Manchester United.
Before he kicks a ball for his new club, however, Amoruso will require a minor Achilles tendon operation, which will sideline him for three weeks.
The deal was concluded yesterday only after a medical and scan of the tendon, but the former Fiorentina captain, who succeeded in shackling Barcelona star Ronaldo in the Cup-winners' Cup semis, will be ready to start the season.
The cry of no defenders was about to intensify in Ibrox's marble halls, with the new signings arriving only to balance the departure of Richard Gough and the injured Alan McLaren, whose knee surgery will keep him out of the Champions' League qualifying matches on July 23 and 30 and the next two, in August.
The 25-year-old Amoruso has signed a five-year contract, understood to be worth just over #3m, while Norwegian Stensaas, who is 26, has signed up for four years.
Murray said: ''They are young players, and that is good business for Rangers, because they will still have a residual value - that is what it is all about nowadays.''
He added that left back Stensaas, from Rosenborg Trondheim, came with a personal recommendation from former Rangers manager Graeme Souness as a ''very nice footballer and a good passer.''
Murray believes Continental purchases represent far better value than the domestic market. Liverpool's Neil Ruddock was linked to Ibrox at a price in excess of #4m. ''But,'' says Murray, ''Ruddock could not live with Amoruso.''
Smith hopes Lorenzo will oil the cogs of the Ibrox defence at least as effectively as Gough. Amoruso, languid as an Italian film star with shades perched on his forehead, kept a personal promise to Murray in signing. He confirmed he had turned down an approach from Manchester United.
''It was an embarrassing situation, but I wanted to keep my promise,'' said the Italian. ''Mr Murray said that if I was not completely happy, I was free to do whatever I wanted, and was not obliged to sign for Rangers. But I am happy to do so, and be part of a new era for the club.''
In halting English, but with enthusiasm, and aided by a translator, he professed his delight at joining a club with Champions' League ambitions.
From the heights of the Italian Serie A to the Scottish premier division may be a culture shock, but Amoruso made it clear he does not intend to throw his weight around in the dressing room. ''I want to feel at home, and will be happy to establish myself as one important player in a new team.''
Stensaas has been part of the Rosenborg team that has taken the Norwegian title for the past five seasons, and is used to playing before crowds of up to 20,000, but, as he surveyed his new home from the Ibrox Suite, he said: ''This is a dream come true for me. Rosenborg dominate the game in Norway, and are used to other teams giving 120%, trying to beat us, just as Rangers are.''
With Dane Tommy Moller-Neilsen starting as coach this week, the Ibrox Scandinavian influence intensifies. ''Having a great player like Brian Laudrup here is encouraging, and will help make me feel at home,'' said Stensaas.
''Yes, I know Rangers are the big winners in Scotland - nine in a row and all that - and if they can make it 10, it will be a world record. I think we can do that, but it is time for the club to start doing it in Europe.''
Though yesterday's foray into the market may close the door on Inter's Massimo Paganin, another defensive signing is on the cards. Still likely to sign up is Georg Koch, the Fortuna Dusseldorf goalkeeper, whose club commitments are not yet complete in Germany.
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