Danny Wilson and Rob Kiernan tie up Rangers moves

RANGERS manager Mark Warburton has completed a double signing by bringing in central defenders Danny Wilson and Rob Kiernan.
Rob Kiernan and Danny Wilson are unveiled by Rangers after completing moves to the Ibrox club. Picture: SNSRob Kiernan and Danny Wilson are unveiled by Rangers after completing moves to the Ibrox club. Picture: SNS
Rob Kiernan and Danny Wilson are unveiled by Rangers after completing moves to the Ibrox club. Picture: SNS

Rangers announced Kiernan had signed a two-year contract from Wigan, after earlier revealing former Hearts skipper Wilson had signed a three-year deal.

Former Derby midfielder John Eustace could follow suit after arriving in Glasgow for signing talks.

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Kiernan, 24, has worked with Warburton in the Watford youth ranks and during a loan spell at Brentford and joins Rangers following a loan stint with Birmingham.

Rob Kiernan and Danny Wilson are unveiled by Rangers after completing moves to the Ibrox club. Picture: SNSRob Kiernan and Danny Wilson are unveiled by Rangers after completing moves to the Ibrox club. Picture: SNS
Rob Kiernan and Danny Wilson are unveiled by Rangers after completing moves to the Ibrox club. Picture: SNS

Wilson spent two-and-a-half years at Hearts after returning north from Liverpool, where he failed to make a first-team breakthrough after joining from Rangers in a £2 million deal in 2010.

The Scotland international made 24 appearances for Rangers after breaking into the team as a 17-year-old and he aims to show the supporters that he returns to Ibrox a better player.

The 23-year-old told Rangers TV: “I think if I look at myself now compared to as an 18-year-old I’m a much better professional and I have a lot more experience of just life in general.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to come back and show people how I’ve grown as a player and as a person. I’m looking forward to just getting under way and showing people what I’ve learned.”

Wilson’s Hearts side finished 24 points above Rangers in the Championship last season but he insists his new club’s failure to go up through the play-offs did not make his decision any more difficult.

“Not really,” he said. “Obviously in an ideal world, Rangers would be in the top flight, but as it is we are not just now. We need to put in the work to get us there.

“It’s not something I am overly fussed about. Last season we managed to go up and hopefully it’s more of the same this year.”

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Wilson also denied that Davie Weir, Warburton’s assistant, was key to his return given he played alongside him in the heart of the Rangers defence when he first broke through.

“Obviously he was a massive influence on me when I was so young,” said Wilson, who last played for Scotland almost four years ago.

“I’m glad he is here but it wasn’t a big factor. Rangers have still got a massive pull and I am more than happy to be back.

“I’m glad to have a friendly face here but I’m sure he has a different role now.”

Eustace is available following his exit from Derby, and also worked with Warburton at Watford.