Double boost for Rangers

Rangers have confirmed the signing of former Hearts midfielder Ian Black and the re-signing of striker Andy Little after securing conditional Scottish Football Association membership on Friday.

The duo become Ally McCoist's first signings of the summer as the manager looks to swiftly bolster his decimated squad ahead of the new season, when newco Rangers will start life in the Third Division of Scottish football.

Black, who was out-of-contract at Tynecastle this summer having joined the Edinburgh outfit three years ago, has penned a three-year deal with the club.

Little, the 23-year-old Northern Ireland international, who spent the early part of last season on loan at Port Vale before returning to his parent club, returns on a two-year contract with the option for a further year.

Rangers confirmed the double boost on their official website but said the registration of both players cannot be fully completed until next Friday.

However, McCoist may be able to use the pair as trialists in Sunday's Ramsdens Cup tie against Brechin.

Togetherness

Little says the atmosphere surrounding the administration-hit club played a key role in his decision to stay at Ibrox.

He said: "I like the whole togetherness that the club has.

"Sometimes I feel like we're at our best when we're up against it and I really want to be a part of getting the club back to where it belongs.

"The club is down at the bottom now and we have to start again but the manager spoke to me and really convinced me that I had a big part to play in the future of the club.

"I like to think that I'm the kind of player who plays with my heart and it came down to that when we were in administration and everything was against us.

"I felt like I really responded well to that and it's going to be exactly the same in the third division."

• Scottish Division 3 Winner 12/13 Win Outright: Rangers 1/1000