Rangers ALEJANDRO BEDOYA is eager to follow in the footsteps of idol Claudio Reyna

Rangers signing Alejandro Bedoya: If I can be half as good as Claudio Reyna I’ll be happy

ALEJANDRO BEDOYA is eager to follow in the footsteps of compatriot and boyhood idol Claudio Reyna by becoming a fans’ favourite at Rangers.

The American international is expected to receive his visa today allowing him to complete his move to Ibrox in time for Sunday’s SPL clash with Aberdeen.

And the 24-year-old can’t wait to get started after hearing all about the club from Reyna, who spent three years in Govan from 1999.

“I was able to speak with Claudio Reyna,” Bedoya said. “Obviously he is a well-respected player and someone I looked up to, and he was a key player for Rangers.

“He had nothing but positive things to say. If I can be half of what Claudio was at Rangers, it will be a success.”

Bedoya signed a pre-contract agreement with the Gers earlier this year and was due to make the move from Orebro at the end of the Swedish season in January.

But Ally McCoist decided to speed the deal up this month and finally clinched the 13-times capped midfielder’s immediate transfer last week for a fee of around s300,000.

Speaking to www.ussocer.com Bedoya added: “After the Gold Cup, there had been interest from a few teams. Rangers showed the most interest, and it took off from there.

“They weren’t able to work out a transfer initially. I got injured, and during that time I thought about my future. Having spoken with my family and with the manager at Rangers, it became clear to me that this would be a good next step in my career, so I signed a pre-contract that would have sent me there in January.

“The talks heated up again about a transfer, and Œrebro agreed to a fee, which was good for them as well.

“Like any player, you want to further your career. Rangers are a well-respected club with a lot of history and a winning tradition. Hopefully going to Glasgow gives me the ability to compete on a big stage in Europe, but also gives me the pressure of trying to win something every year.”