DICK ADVOCAAT reckons Kenny Miller will be an important signing second time around at Rangers - even though he failed to sparkle under the Dutchman in his first spell at Ibrox Advocaat brought the then 20-year-old Miller to Rangers from Hibs in June 2000 for a fee of £2million.

DICK ADVOCAAT reckons Kenny Miller will be an important signing second time around at Rangers - even though he failed to sparkle under the Dutchman in his first spell at Ibrox Advocaat brought the then 20-year-old Miller to Rangers from Hibs in June 2000 for a fee of £2million.

However, the striker then moved to Wolves the following season for £3.5m after failing to pin down a first-team place, his departure the first act of Alex McLeish when he took over from Advocaat as boss.

After experiencing mixed fortunes during later spells at Celtic and Derby, Miller was brought back to Ibrox last month by Rangers manager Walter Smith in a £2m switch.

Advocaat, whose Zenit St Petersburg side beat Rangers in the final of the UEFA Cup in Manchester back in May, believes 28-year-old Miller is worth another chance after developing his game in recent years.

He said: "Miller is a different player now from when he was at Ibrox the first time. I signed him from Hibs when he was young but there was too much competition for him at the time.

"He is more experienced now, he has done well for the national team and he is a very strong player. He will be a good player for Rangers."

MIller could well form a new look partnership with Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty who checked in at Murray Park a few days after the Scotland striker in a £3.25m plus move from Burnley.

Lafferty is settling into his new surroundings quickly and can't wait to make his Rangers debut this weekend when the club head off to Germany for a three-game tour.

And he admits that a week into pre-season training at his new club, it's only now sinking in that his dream move has happened.

Lafferty said: "It didn't really hit me how big a move it was until I was driving out of the training ground after my first day.

"I stopped at the gate and there were Rangers fans all around the car looking for autographs and photos. I realised then that I was in the big time.

"That kind of thing never happened at Burnley. Shirts and balls would get sent to the club for signing, but you wouldn't really see the people."

He went on: "I always knew Rangers were a big club - but it's only now I realise just how big they are. It's a huge step up for me and I just can't wait to get started."

Lafferty has revealed his delight at the first time he learned of an Ibrox interest in him. There were rumours in the January transfer window that Walter Smith wanted him, and then there was speculation that Celtic had entered the race to land him.

The 20-year-old went on: "It was around about Christmas time that I knew Rangers were interested. It's funny, though, as it was probably Celtic who had a longer interest.

"To have both sides of the Old Firm watching you is a tremendous compliment and, right up until I joined Rangers, I was aware that Gordon Strachan was in for me. I respect him as a top manager and thank him for his interest.

"But playing for Rangers means the world to me. I remember it was last March when I was playing for Norther Ireland against Georgia that I found out before the game Ian Durrant was there to look at me.

"At the end of the season I then just waited for something to happen. At one point I didn't think Rangers were going to come in, then suddenly I was told by Burnley a bid had been accpeted and the dream was on."

Now, Lafferty is relishing the prospect of working with Smith and Ally McCoist on a daily basis, and he believes they can make him a better player.

"I'm certain they will make me a better," he added. "There is everything there at Rangers to make me a top player.

"At Burnley I was ambitious to move on and I wanted to work with people who could bring the best out in me, and Walter and Ally can do that."