Beattie glad to have made big 'step up'

JAMES BEATTIE believes the opportunity to play in the Champions League for the first time is just one of the reasons why his move to Rangers is a major step forward for his career.

The 32-year-old striker quit Stoke - and the chance to remain in the Barclays Premier League - for a move to the Scottish champions after penning a two-year deal, with a further one-year option, yesterday.

It proved to be a whirlwind 24 hours for the player, who was given a tour of Ibrox on Thursday morning before thrashing out the deal which sees him become the club's first purchase in two years.

Beattie said: "I've never played Champions League football before so I think that is a step up and a progression.

"The size of the club is huge and I think it's a massively positive step for James Beattie and for Rangers.

"I've had a lot of text messages from friends that I didn't realise I had saying 'you've just signed for the biggest club in the world' and stuff like that.

"I'll probably get to know how big the club is as I play.

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