One of Rangers’ new youth team recruits says he spoke to a former Gers player ahead of his move to Ibrox.
Tony Weston arrived at Rangers from Blackpool earlier this summer, in a deal which cost the Glasgow giants £250,000, according to The Gazette.
To do so, Weston is said to have turned down an offer from Blackpool, while English Premier League sides Everton, Leeds United and Southampton were also credited with an interest in the 17-year-old striker.
Lucky for Rangers, though, Weston had a Gers-mad teammate he could turn to for advice.
“It’s a massive move for me. A really huge move,” Weston told Rangers.co.uk. “It’s a big step up coming to Rangers compared to Blackpool but the facilities here are incredible and I am really enjoying it.
“The facilities here are top class and this is a really exciting move for me.
“I’m delighted to be here and I will work as hard as possible to make an impact at Rangers.
“I spoke to ex-Rangers youth striker Ryan Hardie about the club when I was at Blackpool and he told me great things. He told me this is a great club and the facilities and coaches are amazing and he is right.
“When I first got up here I could see that for myself. I’ve also seen Ibrox now and it’s an amazing stadium. The Trophy Room in incredible and shows you what a successful club this really is.”
Hardie is a boyhood Rangers fan who progressed through the Gers’ academy system before leaving for Blackpool last summer.
And the 23-year-old was among those who sent messages to Weston after his transfer to Ibrox.
Weston, who will be 17 in September, played just a minute of senior football for the League One side.
He is expected to join Rangers’ development squad initially and could replace another young Englishman, Nathan Young-Coombes, who has been linked with a move to West Ham United.
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