THE chance to be reunited with Mark Warburton and star for Rangers convinced Rob Kiernan to make the switch from Wigan to Ibrox.

The defender is poised to complete a deal that will see him become the first arrival of the Warburton era as the new Light Blues boss shapes his squad for the Championship campaign.

Birmingham City yesterday pulled out of a move to sign the defender on a permanent deal after he impressed on loan last season.

And Kiernan’s DW Stadium team-mate, former Partick Thistle star Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, is not surprised Warburton has now landed his man.

He told SportTimes: “I have spoken to him and it sounds like the manager was really keen to get him up there so it should be a good move for him and he is looking forward to it.

“He said it was a massive club and it was a great opportunity for him. He obviously knows the manager from his time on loan at Brentford and that was one of the main reasons that he decided to go up to Rangers.

“From his time at Kilmarnock, he knows what Rangers are about and it sounds like he trusts the manager about what he has told him about the training ground and Ibrox and the crowds they will get at home. I think that was a major factor for him.”

The arrival of Kiernan marks Rangers’ first foray into the transfer market this summer as Warburton bids to bolster his depleted Ibrox squad.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international signed for Wigan from Watford in 2011 and has had nine loan moves in his career to date.

But Latics stopper Taylor-Sinclair is confident the 24-year-old will be a hit at Ibrox and fit into the new Warburton way next season.

He said: “He can do a job as a holding midfielder but he is predominantly a centre-back and that is where he plays best.

“He has had a lot of teams, and had a spell at Kilmarnock as well, but that is down to the managers you play for.

“At Watford, they wanted him to get game time and you don’t get much of a test in the Reserves so that is why he had a few loans.

“He started the season under Uwe Rosler at Wigan and then he got the sack and Malky Mackay just wanted a fresh start so he went to Birmingham. By all accounts, he done well there as well.

“He is your modern-day centre-back, he is good with both feet and he is good on the ball. He is quite athletic as well.

“He likes to get the ball down and play and he likes to play out from the back.

“From what I have seen of Warburton’s interviews, that is how he wants Rangers to play under him and David Weir. I am sure Rob will fit into that and do well there.”