RANGERS boss Ally McCoist today strengthened his squad further by signing left-back Stevie Smith on a two-year deal.

The capture of the former Gers defender takes McCoist's total number of summer signings to five.

He has already brought in Cammy Bell, Nicky Clark, Jon Daly and Nicky Law to the Ibrox club.

And Honduran international midfielder Arnold Peralta is expected to unveiled as a new Rangers player early next week.

Smith (left) who spent eight years as a player at Ibrox before leaving in 2010, has been without a club since last year.

The ex-Scotland Under-21 international was released by MLS club Portland Timbers along with team-mate Kris Boyd in December.

He has been training at Murray Park – as have Boyd and Kenny Miller – this year as he has looked for another club.

And he clearly impressed McCoist with his fitness and sharpness as he has been handed a contract until the end of the 2014/15 season.

The acquisition of the 27-year-old adds strength in depth to McCoist's squad as he already has Lee Wallace at his disposal.

Smith was one of the most exciting prospects in Scottish football when he broke into the first team at Rangers aged just 19 back in 2004.

The Bellshill boy established himself in the Gers side in the 2005/06 season when he played in 20 games, including the Champions League last 16 clash with Villarreal.

Paul Le Guen handed him a contract extension as a result of his impressive form in the first team at the start of the 2006/07 season.

But he soon developed serious pelvic problems and the remainder of his time at Rangers was dogged by injury issues.

At one stage it was even rumoured he may have to retire from football.

Smith helped Rangers beat St Mirren to win the League Cup after coming on as a late substitute for Nacho Novo at Hampden in 2010.

He moved on to English Championship club Norwich City, but injuries meant he only made a handful of appearances at Carrow Road.

He joined SPL club Aberdeen on loan before returning to England to play Preston for a spell.

He moved to the United States last year to play alongside his former Rangers team-mate Boyd with Portland Timbers in the MLS.