IVOR Pandur says his early introduction to life at Rangers has been special as he spoke for the first time after joining up with his teammates.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper made the move from Hull City, fresh off their promotion to the English Premier League, last month while representing Croatia in their run to the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup.
He has had to bide his time to get down to work with the Gers, with Croatia's campaign having only ended on July 3, but with the start of the Scottish Premiership campaign just around the corner, he says he can’t wait to taste action in a Rangers jersey.
Speaking exclusively to RangersTV, an excited Pandur said: “It’s a brilliant feeling. It fills me with pride, and it’s an honour to be part of such a massive club.
“Whoever I spoke to about the club only told me good things, and no-one said a single thing wrong.
“I have worked all my career for this moment to be here, and I’m really excited and ready to go.
“I started talking [to Rangers] maybe four years ago when I was still in Holland, but it wasn’t the right moment.
“Eventually I left and went to England, played there, and now this summer we made a deal in a couple of days because there was interest from both sides.
“I want to challenge for titles. All of my career I have wanted to be part of a club that fights for trophies, and I feel like this is the perfect time to do it.
“I have a lot of experience behind me, and I’m ready to give everything for this club.”
The last two months have been filled with experiences for the goalkeeper.
He was a crucial component in the Hull side who defied all odds to secure their return to the English Premier League with a play-off final victory over Middlesbrough at Wembley.
His strong displays in England earned him international selection for the World Cup in North America, which was undoubtedly a proud moment for the 26-year-old and his family.
He continued: “It was two completely different years [with Hull]. The first year we almost got relegated, then the second year we got promoted to the Premier League.
“It’s good material for making a movie! It was something extraordinary and magical with all the circumstances.
“Croatia call-up? I made that a goal of mine at the beginning of the season, to go to the World Cup.
“I just put my head down, worked, and hoped that it would happen, which it did. Now the next step is to get some minutes and get some more playing time for the national team.”
Pandur, who was voted Player of the Year, Supporters’ Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year at Hull in 2025, has crossed paths with several players who once donned the famous Rangers jersey.
He shared a dressing room with John Lundstram and Kieran Dowell last season in England, while he counted Antonio Colak among his teammates for the national team.
Each only had positive words to say about the club and the feeling of playing in front of expectant supporters.
He added: “You can feel the energy [at Ibrox]. It’s nostalgic and full of history.
“I’m really happy and excited when I think of the moment of going out in front of 51,000 fans, and however many will be outside too.
“Everyone was talking about it. Even the guys who were here in the past, John Lundstram and Kieran Dowell who I played with last year, all said you’ll never experience something like it.
“When I knew it was really serious and it could be done, it was the first thing I did. I wanted to hear their thoughts and experiences about everything.
“But everything they said just made me more sure it’s what I want to do.
“I even spoke to Antonio Colak, who was here. I played alongside him for Croatia, and like everyone, he was full of praise for the club and the people, which I can already feel.
“Everyone inside the club who I have met has been such a lovely person, and you can feel this energy of goodness.”
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