Barry Ferguson admits new signing Pedro Mendes has made a huge impression on the Rangers skipper. Snapped up from Portsmouth in a £3million deal, Mendes has adapted instantly to Scottish football, masterminding victories over Hearts, Aberdeen and Celtic.

Ferguson, who is aiming for a November return after ankle surgery, cannot wait to play alongside the Portuguese star.

"Pedro is a player I have watched for a long time in the Premiership and admired with Spurs and Portsmouth," he told the Scottish Sun.

"The second half of the Old Firm game was the best we have played for a very long time.

"He scored a fantastic goal, but it was the other stuff I seized on. It absolutely thrills me to see clever players, the ones with the guts to take the ball in tight situations and play a pass.

"He is quality, he keeps it when you need him to but play someone else In too.

"I can't wait to play beside him, those are the boys you want in your corner - proper footballers."