PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM has claimed 'big payers' Rangers blew other clubs out the water to sign Tom Lawrence on a free transfer.
Sheffield United were hopeful of signing Lawrence after his exit from Derby following the relegation to League One - but were gazumped by an Ibrox offer.
Former Hibs boss Heckingbottom was left frustrated to miss out on Lawrence but brushed it off as "one of those things".
As reported by the Sheffield Star, Heckingbottom said: "It is what it is.
"A team who got to the Europa League final last year, things like that ... it's going to be a big pull.
"Obviously they're big payers, a big pull, different football. It's one of those things.
"You can't get them all. Would I have liked him? Yeah.
"If Rangers hadn't have come in and blown everyone out of the water I would have backed us to get him.
"If Macca (Stuart McCall) were here answering this question, or Flecky (John Fleck), they'd be raving about Rangers and European football."
On his move to Rangers, Lawrence commented: “I am delighted to have joined Rangers and I’m excited to get started.
“The club is known worldwide for its history, successes and fan base and I look forward to being part of that going forward and getting to play in front of the supporters at Ibrox.”
And Giovanni van Bronckhorst added: “I am really pleased we have been able to secure the signing of Tom and he will further add to our attacking options.
“He has gained valuable experience over a number of years with Derby County and I look forward to working with him this season.”
