ANDY LITTLE has backed Gareth McAuley to lead by example at Rangers this season – just like the former Ibrox skippers he worked under.

The 38-year-old became the 15th and final signing of the summer for boss Steven Gerrard when he completed a move to his boyhood heroes earlier this month.

McAuley spent the last seven seasons with West Bromwich Albion but left the Hawthorns as the Baggies were relegated from the Premier League last term.

Little got to know the stopper during his international career with Northern Ireland and is confident he will have a key role to play on and off the park for the Light Blues.

Little told SportTimes: “Gareth is a really good lad, a brilliant character and a very, very good pro.

“He would remind me of the likes of Steve Davis, Davie Weir and Carlos Bocanegra.

“He is a top pro, he has been around the game and considering there are a lot of younger players in the squad, he certainly brings experience at the back. Nikola Katic and Joe Worrall are only 21 and Connor Goldson is not that old either.

“If Gareth gets his opportunity in there, nothing will faze him and he will know how to handle playing for Rangers.

“He is a very nice fella and was really good with me. When we met up for international squads, his first question was always ‘what is happening with the Gers?’

“It wasn’t ‘how are you’, it was ‘what is happening with the Gers’ so the club is clearly a big part of him and he is a fan, as everyone knows.

“I always love seeing boys from back home in a Rangers squad. The club obviously has big links with Northern Ireland and you will probably have an extra few buses coming over from Larne alone now!”