Ivor Pandur is confident Allan McGregor can bring out the best in him this season after getting down to business with the Rangers legend.
The Croatian made his debut for Derek McInnes’ side in the friendly victory over Saint-Etienne at Ibrox on Wednesday night. The visit of West Ham United this weekend will be the final warm-up for Rangers ahead of their Premiership opener at Tannadice next Friday.
Pandur was an accomplished performer between the sticks as he pulled on his gloves for the first time since being part of his national squad at the World Cup. The 26-year-old was a £6million recruit from Hull City earlier this summer and has taken the No.1 jersey vacated by Jack Butland.
It is also the shirt that his new mentor wore with such success and distinction over so many years. And the keeper is thrilled to have the chance to work under McGregor’s guidance.
"Yeah, class, all of all of them,” Pandur said. "Teammates, coaching staff, training ground, I'm really happy with everything, the way they welcomed me. This is really a privilege to be here and share the dressing with these boys because, first of all, good people and everyone around is also really good.
"It means a lot to me for to have him as my coach because I can only learn and it's up to me to take everything from him, ask him questions, from his lessons, if I can learn anything.
"I'm in a really good place to learn, to improve, to develop under him. So yeah, I'm truly happy.
"Yeah, yeah, of course [I have watched him play]. He's a legend of the club, but also in Europe, he played a lot of games for the national team as well so when I found out he's a goalkeeper coach, it just fills me with happiness. I want to learn from the best, and that's why I came as well.
“He tried to see how I work, the way of working on the training ground outside with analysis and everything.
"He made sure he knows me. So we've been in touch and I told him straight away, I'll be ready to go as soon as I come and they fulfil my wish."
Pandur and Butland have traded positions this term after the Englishman headed for Hull in a £3million deal. Ironically, Pandur could have been at Ibrox before Butland put pen-to-paper three years ago after Rangers scouted him during his time at Fortuna Sittard.
The wait has been worth it for Pandur, though. He helped the Tigers clinch their return to the Premier League last term but now has the Premiership title in his sights as he looks to lead by example on and off the park.
"Yeah, especially I want to test myself at the biggest stage,” Pandur said when asked about his mentality and the chance to prove himself. "I think Rangers is one of the biggest clubs in Europe, so I want to see how I will handle it because in my mind, I know I'm ready for it.
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"And like I said, it's a privilege and honour to be in this position and to give absolutely everything I have for this city, for this club. It's just a proud feeling.
"It's strange because we were talking after the season and obviously the gaffer [at Hull] is also Croatian like me. He told me he wants me to stay and all of that, to play.
"The club had a different idea of bringing another keeper who already had Premier League experience, which I don't have yet. So they made it clear for me to know, there'll be somebody coming in as a number one, let's say.
"Do I agree with it or not? It doesn't matter. It's football. It's business.
"I'm just proud and happy I get to share this two-and-a-half years in that club with all these great people as well.
"It's something I remember for the rest of my life. So I'm truly grateful, more than I'm happy for the decision."
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