Glasgow Rangers midfielder Graham Dorrans insisted that his desire to move to Ibrox was not dampened at all by their European exit.
Graham Dorrans has told the Daily Record that his desire to join Rangers was not at all dampened by their shock exit in the first qualifying round of the Europa League, insisting that challenging Celtic is the main priority.
The 30-year-old became the Gers’ latest summer signing, and it is surely fair to say that the club needed the boost that came from his arrival following their European exit two days previously.
Graham Dorrans
Pedro Caixinha’s men were knocked out by Luxembourg side Progres after losing the second-leg 2-0 in a defeat that led to the Portuguese receiving a lot of criticism from many of the Light Blues supporters.
But Dorrans was adamant that as gutting as the loss was, it did not leave him questioning whether he was making the right decision switching Norwich for his boyhood club for one second.
“Of course it would have been good to be involved in Europe,” he told the Record.
“But it had no affect on me coming here at all. I was just desperate to be part of the club I’ve supported all my life.
“And competing for the title is the most important thing for Rangers anyway. It won’t be easy because Celtic are a strong team.”
While there are no excuses for the defeat in midweek, Caixinha will be hoping that the introductions of both Bruno Alves and Dorrans to the side has a major impact on the team.
Both players were absent for the European games, but should arguably significantly strengthen the spine of the side once they get fully up and running.
And with Dorrans well aware of the expectation at Ibrox, it would hardly be a surprise if his integration into the squad helps lead to the turning point in their fortunes that Caixinha desperately needs.
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