Gers snap up Beattie

Rangers have confirmed the signing of striker James Beattie from Stoke.

The Ibrox club have called a media conference for Friday afternoon where they will unveil the 32-year-old.

The former Blackburn forward travelled to Glasgow on Thursday for talks with Rangers chief executive and manager Walter Smith.

Beattie was this afternoon at Murray Park putting his signature to a two-year contract, with a further one-year option, after moving for an undisclosed fee.The Englishman is Walter Smith's first signing since Maurice Edu arrived at Ibrox two years ago.

Beattie has declared himself fit to play for Rangers in their Clydesdale Bank Premier League opener against Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Saturday.

And he is excited by the prospect of appearing in front of 50,000 supporters.

"I'm delighted to sign for a club like Glasgow Rangers and it was quite a quick deal as far as I'm concerned," Beattie said at the media conference.

"I came to Ibrox on Thursday morning and was met by the gaffer and (chief executive) Martin Bain. They showed me around the stadium, which was magnificent and you can see it is a club steeped in history.

"I then walked out on to the pitch, which was magnificent. The walk out, even when the stadium was empty, was something so I'm looking forward to walking out when it's full.

"There was interest from other clubs but when you come here and speak to Walter Smith and have a look around, the decision was easy."