Goldson opens up on 'difficult' exit, 2 Sima options emerge plus Cantwell and Hagi latest – Rangers transfer state of play

Connor Goldson says it wasn't easy leaving Rangers – and claims the Europa League games against Aris Limassol last season played their part in swaying his decision.

Defender Goldson left Ibrox under freedom of contract this summer and headed to Cyprus to link up with last season's Euro foes. It's Goldson's first experience of football abroad and he's been speaking to the press ahead of their league opener away to Karmiotissa this weekend. High on the agenda was his history at Rangers, with Goldson one of the highest-profile players they have ever signed.

Asked about his decision to leave Ibrox, where he made 309 appearances over six years and won the Premiership under Steven Gerrard, he said: "It was a difficult decision. I'd been there for a long time, six years. I felt like I was ready for something different, a new country, a new challenge. Obviously we played against Aris last year and once I started to speak to the club, I was really excited. We came to view the city, my family was excited by that, I'm happy to be here.

"The dressing room has been really open, it's been easy to settle. It was difficult for me coming to a new country for the first time but the boys have been amazing and I can only say thank you. We've got a mentality that we want to win. I came here to try to win the championship again, with new players and a new team, so I hope that's the case.

"I'm not going to underestimate it. We played against Aris last year and in two games, we only got one point. I knew that Aris were a strong team. It's like any league you play in, I played in the Scottish league and everyone thinks it's easy - but football's never easy. When I heard about this I spoke with the owner and the coach and I was really excited.