Ivor Pandur joined Rangers after Hull City planned new number one

“Whether I agree with it or not, it doesn’t matter. That’s football.

“I’m just proud and happy I got to share those two and a half years at the club with all these great people. It means everything to me.”

Rangers’ interest in Pandur, who said it was “a lovely experience” to play in front of the crowd at Ibrox for the first time in Wednesday’s pre-season friendly win over St Etienne, began before he joined Hull from Fortuna Sittard in 2024.

“I remember my agent was talking to a director who is not with this club any more and it came close,” he recalled.

“It is probably better because I am much better than I was three or four years ago – I have developed quite a lot and there’s still more to come and I think I’m in a perfect place to improve.”

Pandur revealed that contact with Rangers “was ongoing through the season” but that “I didn’t have much to think about” when the approach came and a deal was done “in a couple of days”.

His arrival at Ibrox coincides with the return of former number one Allan McGregor as goalkeeping coach.

“It means a lot to me to have him as my coach,” Pandur said. “It is up to me to learn from him and ask him questions and develop under him.

“He is a legend of the club and also in Europe he played a lot of games and in the national team as well.

“When I found he was the goalkeeping coach, it just filled me with happiness. I want to learn from the best and that’s why I came as well.”

Pandur had consulted Hull team-mates John Lundstram and Kieran Dowell, and former Rangers striker Antonio Colak, before making his decision.

“They told me they demand a lot,” he revealed. “There is pressure. They want trophies.

“I want all of that as well, so I never ran from pressure, from responsibility all my career – it’s just the way I’ve been raised.

“I want to test myself on the biggest stage and I think Rangers are one of the biggest clubs in Europe. In my mind I know I’m ready for it.”