GARETH McAuley will sign for Rangers this morning subject to a medical with the Ibrox club.

The 39-year-old Nothern Ireland defender had been out of contract since leaving West Brom earlier this summer having spent seven years at the Midlands outfit.

McAuley is believed to have agreed terms with his former club Ipswich Town late last week, but has opted instead to sign for the club he supported as a boy.

McAuley, who has won 79 caps for his country, had also been of interest to Hearts, Aberdeen, Wigan Athletic and clubs in Major League Soccer and in Europe.

He satisfies manager Steven Gerrard’s desire to have an experienced head to mentor Nikola Katic, Connor Goldson and Joe Worrall, who Rangers signed from Nottingham Forest on the final day of the transfer window last week

Following yesterday’s 1-0 defeat by Celtic, Gerrard confirmed that he was close to signing his 15th player. He said: “I hope that’s going to be the case. That will be the last deal.”

Rangers had been monitoring McAuley’s position for six months but didn’t make a significant move for the player until after Thursday night’s play-off qualifier against Russian side Ufa.