STEVE DAVIS has admitted he feared his Rangers dream had died but now he is ready to lead the charge for the SPL title.

The Northern Ireland midfielder was in turmoil as his proposed switch from Fulham was on one minute and then off the next.

He was desperately worried that the move back to Ibrox would not happen.

However, the protracted process was finally completed today when the 23-year-old signed a four-year contract.

And he is ready to go straight into battle at Pittodrie on Saturday lunchtime.

Speaking exclusively to Rangers World, he said: “I am delighted. It’s been on-going all summer and it’s great that it is finally done and dusted.

“It’s been on and off for the past few months. I kept hearing bits and pieces so it’s terrific that I have finally signed and now I can concentrate on the football.

“It was a difficult time because I was wondering if it was going to happen and that took its toll but thankfully everything is sorted out now.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time here last season. It’s a great club and I’m just glad to be part of it again and I look forward to playing for the club for the next four years.”

Davis has become the eighth major signing of this season following Kenny Miller, Kyle Lafferty, Andrius Velicka, Madjid Bougherra, Pedro Mendes, Aaron and US star Maurice Edu, whose work permit application will be heard tomorrow.

He is convinced Rangers have the squad to go the distance in the SPL after coming so agonisingly close last season.

Davis added: “There have been a lot of new signings - including my Northern Ireland team mate big Kyle - so they will add to the quality that is already here.

“Kyle is still young and he is still learning but he has definitely got a bright future ahead of him and I’m sure he can be a big player for the club for many years to come.

“I firmly believe we have a really good group of players now and hopefully we will have a good season ahead.

“Obviously it’s a blow that we don’t have European football. I was keeping an eye on the fixtures and it was disappointing when the lads went out.

“So it makes the league all the more important and hopefully we can concentrate on that and do well.

“In the short term the league has to be main target. We will be fully focused on getting the title back.

“Of course, if we can do that then we will be back in Europe next season and we can look at that then.

“Missing out on the title on the final day last season was a big disappointment.

“We had a lot of games at the end of the season and it probably took its toll but it still didn’t take away the disappointment given the position we were in.

“Of course it was Pittodrie where I played my last league game and that was the night when it went wrong for us.

“So hopefully if I’m involved on Saturday it will be good to put that right and get the win we want.”

Of course, Davis met up with a number of his Rangers mates at last night’s friendly international between Scotland and Northern Ireland at Hampden.

Kevin Thomson, Davie Weir, Allan McGregor and Kenny Miller were all involved in the match while Kris Boyd and Steven Whittaker were on the bench.

He said: “It was good to see the boys. There was a bit of banter in the tunnel before the game but it worked out fine for everyone with the game finshing in a goal-less draw.”