STEVIE SMITH spurned the attentions of “lots of clubs” before joining Kris Boyd in the Ibrox exodus to Kilmarnock.

The 29-year-old left-back has agreed a three-year contract at Rugby Park and travelled with his new team-mates to the Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire yesterday for a six-day training camp.

He was released at the end of his second spell with Rangers following the club’s failure to win promotion to the SPFL Premiership and Killie manager Gary Locke was thrilled to snap up his services.

"Lots of clubs were after Stevie,” said Locke.

"He has bags of experience, comes from a great pedigree and fills a problem position for us."

Locke had put Smith high on his list of targets when discovering he was not being offered a new deal at Rangers and reckons he has assembled the nucleus of a strong side with Boyd arriving along with former Partick Thistle forward Kallum Higginbotham.

The former Hearts manager has also held talks with ex-Rangers captain Lee McCulloch about a player-coach role, but that remains on ice for the moment.

“It has taken us time over the summer to bring players in, but I didn’t want to sign just anyone,” stated Locke, who has also brought in goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald and former Hearts winger Scott Robinson.

“I wanted players I felt would improve the team and we have had to be patient, but I am delighted we have managed to get the top targets we had.

“We are going to Lilleshall now to work hard and the boys are all buying into what we want to do.”

Smith came through the youth set-up at Rangers before making the switch to Norwich City in 2010.

He was loaned out to Aberdeen while on the books at Carrow Road and moved to Preston North End for a short time before completing a transfer to Portland Timbers in the United States.

He never quite set the heather on fire for the Ibrox club after returning in 2013 and made 20 appearances last season.

“I am really pleased to have signed for Killie and I’m looking forward to the season starting,” said Smith.

"My focus now is on getting a good pre-season under my belt, starting with the training camp in Lilleshall this week.”