CAMMY BELL'S decision to drop down two divisions and sign for Rangers was being questioned by many in Scottish football around this time last year.

The Kilmarnock goalkeeper, who had been capped by Scotland three years before, was accused of lacking ambition and of only being motivated by money.

Yet, the 27-year-old, a lifelong Gers supporter, never had any qualms himself about moving from the top flight to the third tier on a free transfer.

For he intends to help return his beloved Light Blues to the forefront of our national game and also hopes to play for them in Europe at some point in the future.

And he feels that his choice to put pen to paper with Ally McCoist's side has already been vindicated, and then some, by his experiences in the last 10 months.

Bell revealed his belief that he had made the right move was driven home on the day Rangers were presented with the SPFL League One trophy after a 3-0 win over Stranraer last month.

The match came just two days after club legend Sandy Jardine had passed away after tragically losing his long and brave fight against cancer.

"It was a special day," said Bell. "It was an emotional day and sad day in many respects with Sandy's passing.

"But it was a great occasion to be involved in.

"I thought the boys played well and it was only right that the title win was dedicated to Sandy afterwards. He was a great person who supported all of the players in his time at the club.

"Sandy was about the club quite a lot this season before he took unwell, although I had met him before I joined Rangers at dinners and functions and what have you.

"He was a great guy and a great character as well. He certainly loved Rangers Football Club. As I say, it was a sad day for everyone involved in the club.

"But I think it showed what Rangers is all about. It was an amazing occasion. The fans turned out in their numbers to pay tribute to him and celebrate out success too.

"We put in a good performance and kept our unbeaten run going. It was great to be involved personally in an occasion like that.

"It is something I will always be proud to have been a part of.

"It has been a great year for me both off the park and on it with my daughter being born and with us winning the league without losing a single game.

"It was good to be able to bring my daughter on to the park at the end of the game to join in with the celebrations.

"It was a very special moment. She didn't know too much about it of course.

"But in years to come I will be able to look back and show her the pictures of the day. And I am sure there will be more occasions like it to come."

Bell has been outstanding between the sticks for Rangers in his debut season at Ibrox and has kept 27 clean sheets in 39 appearances in all competitions.

His sparkling form has been rewarded with a call-up to the Scotland squad for the friendly with Nigeria at Craven Cottage on Wednesday week.

He is the second Gers player to force their way into the national set-up in the 2013/14 campaign - despite playing against largely part-time opposition.

Left-back Lee Wallace did so earlier this term and came on as a substitute in the World Cup qualifier with Macedonia and the friendly with the United States.

Wallace missed the final games of this season after sustaining a hip injury in the agonising Ramsdens Cup final defeat to Raith Rovers at Easter Road last month.

However, he was still the unanimous choice for the Rangers Player of the Year, Rangers Players' Player of the Year and SPFL League One Player of the Year awards.

Bell has enjoyed having the marauding full-back in front of him in the Light Blues rearguard instead of in the opposition starting line-up this term.

And he revealed that he fully expects the defender to take the Championship by storm when Range rs kick-off what they hope will be the final stage of the journey back to the top flight.

He said: "Lee has been fantastic for us this season. He was called back into the Scotland squad so that shows the kind of quality he was producing on a consistent basis.

"I knew what a great player he was before I joined Rangers having played against him on a few occasions in the past so it was no great surprise to me.

"He deserved to pick up all of the Player of the Year awards that he did at the end of the season there.

"It was no great surprise when he did. I have no doubt he will pick up where we left off last season in the Championship and will be challenging strongly for all the Player of the Year awards next season.

"It has been a long hard season and we have been involved in a lot of games. But we will go away this summer and get a break and come back refreshed and raring to go in the Championship."