Kieran Dowell gave a nod to a former Rangers star when he was asked who his first football idol was growing up.
Michael Beale swooped to land the Norwich City man as his first summer signing on a pre-contract as he reunites with former Carrow Road team-mate Todd Cantwell. The 25-year-old has instantly settled into life at Ibrox and established himself as a key player and real fans' favourite - a similar path his good pal will aim to emulate.
Dujon Sterling has since checked in from Chelsea on a pre-contract deal as the hard work on the recruitment front heats up for the Light Blues. A number of further new faces will follow as Beale and Co attempt to build a team to dethrone Celtic and Ange Postecoglou and qualify for the Champions League with two rounds to negotiate to reach the big time.
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Dowell watched on from the stands as Ibrox said farewell to five players including Alfredo Morelos, Allan McGregor and Ryan Kent as he gets set for his next chapter. In an interview with Rangers TV he was asked who he looked up to growing up and it was an ex-Ibrox midfielder who is now managing at the top level that took his No1 position.
He said: "Mikel Arteta. Obviously he was at Rangers and Everton. He had great moments at Rangers but when I was a young lad coming through at Everton he was the one."
Dowell was also part of the England Under-20 World Cup squad that tasted glory in 2017. It remains his favourite football memory to date but he will hoping to taste many years of success and land medals at Rangers.
Asked his favourite career highlight so far, he added: “Winning the U-20s World Cup.”
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