Scottish Football: Durie moves to Rangers for pounds 1.2m

GORDON DURIE signed for Rangers yesterday in a pounds 1.2m deal which allowed the Tottenham striker to join the club he supported as a boy, writes David McKinney.

It looked as though the transfer might be delayed when the fitness situation among Spurs forwards worsened on Saturday with an injury to Nick Barmby, but Durie flew to Glasgow yesterday and the move was completed. The player had been put up for sale after a public row with the Tottenham manager, Ossie Ardiles.

'Anyone who knows me knows where my feelings lie and I don't think I could have joined a bigger or better club,' he said.

Durie will give Walter Smith a new option in attack as he can play in a wide position or through the middle, but with Ally McCoist and Duncan Ferguson less than fully fit the Rangers manager hinted at a striking role for the former Hibs player. Durie is likely to make his debut against Partick Thistle at Firhill on Saturday.

The Celtic board are poised to announce at Friday's EGM that pounds 40m has been raised towards the cost of their proposed new stadium, thereby hoping to stump the group of rebel shareholders who are intent on launching a new share issue.

The rebels are seeking legal redress to combat the voting pact agreed by five members of the board making them immune to takeover. The court of session will hear a petition for an interim interdict on Thursday which could cause a postponement of the EGM.