RANGERS goalkeeper Allan McGregor has signed a new five-year contract, the club have confirmed.
The Scotland international had been linked with a move away from Ibrox this summer but is now committed to the club until 2013.
McGregor, 26, told
www.rangers.co.uk: "I'm delighted with the five-year deal, it's good to get it settled and hopefully now I can just get on with pre-season."
McGregor was in fine form both at home and abroad last term, with his performances playing a big part in Rangers' impressive European run.
His season came to a painful end when he suffered an ankle injury in the 2-1 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead in April.
He was forced to look on from the sidelines as Neil Alexander deputised in the UEFA Cup final, the Scottish Cup final and the title run-in.
The end of the season brought speculation of a move to the Barclays Premier League, with both Tottenham and Newcastle reportedly planning a summer swoop.
But McGregor, who previously had loan spells at St Johnstone and Dunfermline, insists staying with Rangers was always his first choice.
He said: "I met the chairman Sir David Murray] a couple of weeks ago and I think he realised I always wanted to stay at the club, especially after breaking into the team."
Manager Walter Smith was pleased to clinch the long-term deal for his first-choice goalkeeper.
Smith said: "We're delighted to secure Allan on a long-term contract.
"He had a great season last year before his injury.
"He's come through the youth ranks at the club and is now an established first-team star and that's testament to his hard work and ability."
The full article contains 294 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
