ST MIRREN have signed Calum Gallagher from Rangers – just three days before they travel to Ibrox to kick off the new Ladbrokes Championship season.

The 20-year-old striker made a handful of appearances for Rangers towards the end of the 2013-14 season as they clinched promotion from League One, but he was loaned out to Cowdenbeath early last term and then kept in reserve after being recalled.

He has signed a one-year deal with the Paisley side, who have been searching for greater options in attack since Ian Murray took over as manager.

“He’s a player we looked at a while back, being on loan at Cowdenbeath last season," said Murray.

“He’s quick, he’s very direct, he likes to play on the shoulder and there’s no doubt he’s got the technical attributes to do quite well. We just need to make sure he’s ready and not shove him into the step up that he’s going to have to go and handle.”

Murray insists, though, that Gallagher may well play a part against his former club on Friday night.

“Of course he’s not trained with the players yet and he’s not integrated into the team at all, but he’s certainly an option for us," he said.

Gallagher insists he is thrilled to be starting a new chapter in his career.

“I’m really excited to get started," said Gallagher. "I know it’s a big season for the club having dropped down a level and the main aim has to be to get us back up there as quick as we can.”