Rangers and Ross McCrorie have successfully agreed terms on a long-term contract to bring the versatile international defender back to Ibrox.
The story that the 28-year-old was on the absolute verge of moving back to his boyhood club broke yesterday morning.
The Bristol City man has now agreed a definitive deal that will keep him tied to the Glasgow club until 2029.
Rangers are set to pay the English Championship side a transfer fee of around £900,000 plus additional performance-related add-ons.
The highly rated Scotland international cap was rapidly entering the final year of his current contract at Ashton Gate.
Bristol City had offered him a brand-new deal to extend his stay, and he also had plenty of interest elsewhere in England.
However, the determined defender made it entirely clear that he only wanted a dream return to the Govan outfit this summer.
McCrorie has mostly played at right-back or wing-back for City but can easily operate at centre-back or in defensive midfield.
He officially becomes Rangers’ second marquee signing of the summer, following the earlier arrival of Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland.
Crucially, the versatile defensive star marks the very first official signing of the newly established Derek McInnes management era.
Speaking at his packed press conference today, the newly appointed manager explained exactly how the club’s transfer business will work.
“I don’t think it’s a traditional transfer committee, but it’s a modern way of doing things,” McInnes openly admitted.
“So what we’ve got is an active recruitment team that will liaise with you constantly on targets,” the boss stated.
“We identify the key positions that we feel we need to bring in to improve the first-team squad.”
“And within that framework, there are conversations getting had and heavy work to be done to try and secure them.”
“Our absolute first port of call was affordability and accessibility to bring top-tier players here to this club.”
“There is absolutely no point in us fishing in ponds that we’re simply not going to be able to bring players in.”
“We don’t want to waste too much valuable time, so we quickly arrive at a realistic list of players we can get.”
“And then along with Jim, Stick going forward, and Dan, we try to arrive at the absolute best option for us.”
“That means looking at it both financially and, much more importantly, how good a player he is on the pitch.”
“We have to look closely at what he can bring to the table. Age and everything else is part of it.”
“But not every single player needs to be a young player for future development, and I think we fully understand that.”
“There is a clear model there that we want to try and adhere to as a modern football club.”
“But I’ve been given the firm assurances that every player we sign will come down to me for the final decision.”
“So it’s a genuine collaboration really, and it’s like-minded people just having conversations on a daily basis,” he concluded.
The strategic appointment of Derek McInnes as the new manager played a central role in snapping up the versatile defender.
McInnes has famously been a massive admirer of McCrorie since they previously worked closely together during a spell at Aberdeen.
During their successful time together at Pittodrie, the manager famously described the player in glowing terms to the media.
“Ross McCrorie is an absolute dream of a boy to manage, he’s a true Rolls-Royce,” McInnes stated back in 2020.
The manager heavily praised the brave decision McCrorie made to leave Ibrox originally to pursue guaranteed regular first-team football.
“He didn’t just want to be in the shadows, he didn’t want to be a squad player, he wanted to get out.”
The 28-year-old has earned two senior Scotland international caps and made 89 competitive appearances for Bristol City over three seasons.
His impressive ability to cover multiple positions makes him an incredibly valuable asset for a changing Rangers squad.
With veteran full-back James Tavernier departing the club after 11 years, McCrorie provides immediate top-quality competition at right-back.
He will battle with Dujon Sterling for the starting spot while offering vital tactical cover across the entire back line.
McInnes is expected to continue aggressively reshaping the Ibrox squad with further additions expected in midfield and out wide.
The return of the academy graduate gives Rangers a proven player who completely understands the unique pressures of the club.
Supporters are delighted to see a familiar face return to Govan as the McInnes era officially gets underway at Ibrox.
