ROB KIERNAN has dismissed claims he failed a medical at Birmingham and insisted the chance to sign for Rangers was the reason his switch to St Andrews fell through.

The defender was on course to sign for the Blues last week, but pulled out of the deal at the last minute when Rangers made their move to bring him to Ibrox.

After a £200,000 fee was agreed with Wigan Athletic, Kiernan put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal with the Gers at Murray Park yesterday.

And the 24-year-old insists the opportunity to work with Mark Warburton and David Weir was too good to turn down as Rangers get set to return to training this weekend.

Kiernan said: "I respect Birmingham as a club, and the manager, and everyone there. I completed my medical there and I went back to sign the day after.

“The paperwork wasn't quite ready. During that time, the phone call came from here.

"I was a little bit disappointed that it turned sour and (people said) I failed a medical.

"I don't want to comment on it too much, but I never failed a medical. I completed everything that was asked of me. I've got the email confirmations from the club.

"I came here and passed a medical and I'm ready to go on Saturday. I played a lot of football last season in the Championship and my body feels good.

"I've known Mark for a few years now and he has been good to me. As soon as I got the call, as soon as he got the job, I wanted to come here and work for him and do well for him.

"I want to see him succeed and I want to be part of it. There was no doubt in my mind, especially working with David (Weir), who is a legend here. I think he is going to help me a lot and I want to learn."

Boss Warburton completed his first two deals as boss yesterday as Kiernan followed Danny Wilson into the club to kick-start the Rangers rebuilding job this summer.

The 52-year-old worked with Kiernan at Watford as he began his coaching career after leaving his position as a trader in the City to pursue his dream in the beautiful game.

And Kiernan is confident Warburton will bring success to Ibrox as the countdown continues to the new campaign.

He said: "You can see what he did at Brentford, took the club up to the Championship and came very close to maybe going up again.

"He is very intelligent, very personable as well. You can talk to him and throw your ideas at him, if you don't agree with something then he will maybe tweak it. I've got a lot of respect for him.

"He wants to play football and attract players that want to play football. I know it's going to be tough, I don't expect to walk over teams, but as long as we are all working hard together, then we will be fine.

"Our initial objective is to get back to the Premiership. After that there are the attractions of the Champions League or wherever it might be. It's up to us now.

"That's why I came here, I want to be part of that. I want to look back on my career and reflect on what I achieved."