CRAIG MULHOLLAND is delighted Rangers have won the race to sign Scotland youth star Tom Lang after he completed his switch to Ibrox.

The defender first joined up at Murray Park last season after his exit from English Championship side Birmingham and has done enough to win himself a Light Blues deal.

Lang has represented Scotland at Under-17 level, where he was a team-mate of Gers striker Ryan Hardie, and has reportedly snubbed interest from Aston Villa and Aberdeen to sign on at Murray Park.

The 18-year-old reported for pre-season training this week before putting pen-to-paper on a one-year deal and Head of Academy Mulholland is pleased to have him on board.

He said: “There was quite a bit of interest from several clubs in Tom before he decided to come to Rangers.

“He also fits the player profile model and importantly for a defender is a good user of the ball, which will be beneficial given the style of play throughout the Academy.

“A key part of our new style of play will be to dominate possession and therefore defenders who are comfortable in possession are important.

“He is also a good communicator and positive within the group which fits with the culture we are trying to create where it is vital that players are energisers and not energy sappers.

“We are delighted to have both boys on board, subject to their international clearance coming through, and wish them well in their career with the club.”

Lang will be joined in the Gers youth ranks next term by striker Jordan Gibson after he also clinched a deal at Murray Park.

The 17-year-old has moved north of the border from English non-league outfit FC Alvechurch and has a chance to impress in Light Blue next season.

Rangers confirmed earlier this month that a host of young talents – including Ryan Sinnamon, Craig Halkett and Darren Ramsay – had signed up for the new campaign.

And Mulholland is confident his latest recruits have what it takes to make the grade as he looks to nurture potential Gers stars of the future.

“I am pleased that both Tom and Jordan will be joining the Academy,” he told rangers.co.uk

“They now have an opportunity to develop as footballers and people within the high performance environment we are creating within the Academy.

“Jordan was a good spot by our Academy scout in the Midlands, who also identified Kane Hemmings from a similar background a number of years ago.

“He is quick, has a trick and fits the new position specific player profile we are developing with the manager for all Rangers players.

“In addition to his footballing attributes he is hungry, desperate to be here and keen to learn and that is critical to the culture within the Academy.

“Like all young players he has many areas of his game he needs to work on and he will get the patience and support of the Academy staff to see what he can become.”