Fraser Aird pens new contract with Rangers

Aird, who has signed on until 2018, joins Chris Hegarty, Robbie Crawford, Barrie McKay and Lewis Macleod in agreeing lengthy contracts with the Light Blues.

Rangers, for whom Aird first impressed in Tommy Wilson’s reserve side, have been eager to secure the services of their young players as they plot their return to the SPL.

The Glasgow club, who currently lead the division from second-placed Queen’s Park by 22 points, visit Clyde tomorrow.

Rangers chief executive Charles Green, whose club marked the first anniversary of their financial collapse on Thursday, said yesterday that he wishes to repurchase the shares in Arsenal that his predecessor Craig Whyte sold to Russian magnate Alisher Usmanov.

Whyte ended a 102-year link between the clubs when he sold the 16 shares to Usmanov, who needs only 21 more shares to own 30 per cent of the London club.

Whyte’s decision to flog the shares a year ago provoked consternation among Gers followers, but Green said: “We’ll be buying back our shares in Arsenal and I’m also in talks to have a friendly with them.”