Bojan Miovski set for Old Firm baptism of fire after sealing £4.2m Ibrox move

Bojan Miovski is preparing to be pitched straight into the heat of Old Firm battle — just 24 hours after pitching up in Glasgow to complete a move to Rangers.

The former Aberdeen striker has signed from Girona on a four-year contract in a deal worth up to £4.2million, and becomes the club’s 11th new arrival this summer under head coach Russell Martin.

And the 26-year-old will hope to make an immediate impact at Ibrox this lunchtime, with Martin set to let him loose in the first derby of the season in what has become a must-win fixture for the under-fire manager.

Defeat today would see Miovski’s new side fall nine points behind their city rivals, but the Macedonian is ready to hit the ground running and put smiles back on the faces of an increasingly irate support. ‘I am really excited to join Rangers and take the next step in my career,’ he told the club website.

‘The moment I heard of the interest, I knew this was where I wanted to be. I can’t wait to get started, meet my new team-mates and play in front of the fans.’

Miovski was a fans’ favourite during his two years at Pittodrie, netting 44 times in 98 appearances — including seven in 16 outings against Glasgow’s big two.

But despite scoring just four goals in what was a disappointing year in Spain, Miovski’s new boss believes he has all the attributes to be a huge success at Ibrox.

‘We’re delighted to bring Bojan to Rangers,’ said Martin. ‘His movement, intelligence and ability to score goals make him a real asset and he will further strengthen our attacking options.

‘He knows all about the Scottish Premiership, and has a strong track record of performing and contributing in the league so I’m excited to welcome him to our squad.’

Sporting director Kevin Thelwell added: ‘Bojan is a player we’ve tracked closely and we’re thrilled to have secured his signature.

‘He’s proven himself as a consistent goalscorer and brings a level of quality that aligns perfectly with our ambitions.’

The club — who this week saw Hamza Igamane complete a move to Lille — are also working on a deal to sign Everton striker Youssef Chermiti ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.

Meanwhile, Jack Butland has called on the players to repay their manager following the team’s dreadful start to the campaign.

Three consecutive Premiership draws have piled the pressure on the new boss and, after suffering a humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of Club Brugge in midweek, Martin is already facing serious questions over his future.

‘It’s something that people are always going to try and drive between people,’ Butland said. ‘But there’s one thing that I’ve learned is that in football, if you down tools and you give up, nothing can work.

‘You stick together, you fight, you give yourself a chance, which is certainly something that we’re doing as a group.

‘The manager’s going to take heat. It’s also us on the pitch that need to do better at carrying out the jobs that we’ve been asked to do.’

When asked if Martin was the right man to take Rangers forward, Butland said: ‘I’m not going to have words sort of put in my mouth, I think I have answered that question.

‘Together is the only way things can be successful. So if you’re going to try and separate that and separate the manager and the players, then that in turn is just not allowing things to develop.

‘As players, as I’ve said, we’re together and behind the manager.’