Former Hull City goalkeeper and Player of the Year Ivor Pandur admits the writing was on the wall for him after being told the Tigers were looking to sign a new number one.
Pandur played a starring role to help City get promoted to the Premier League, keeping clean sheets in both play-off semi-finals and the final, before he was sold in a £6m deal at the end of June to help the club’s battle with Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
In a bid to prepare their squad for the challenge of the top-flight, City have been actively looking to recruit another stopper, which left Pandur facing a tough decision, and ultimately, he was moved on.
Olympiacos number one Konstantinos Tzolakis is set to come in and challenge Jack Butland and Dillon Phillips for a place in Sergej Jakirovic’s side.
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Pandur admits it was difficult to hear that, but accepts it’s part and parcel of football, and remains proud of what he achieved along with his City teammates in playing a huge role in the club winning promotion.
“It’s strange,” he told the Daily Record. “The gaffer (Sergej Jakirovic) is also Croatian like me. He told me he wanted me to stay and to play.
“But the club had a different idea of bringing in another keeper who has Premier League experience, which I don’t have yet. So they made it clear for me to know there would be somebody coming in as a number one.
“Whether I agree with it or not, it doesn’t matter. That’s football. I’m just proud and happy I got to share those two and a half years at the club with all these great people. It means everything to me.”
As part of a new-look management team at Ibrox under former Hearts boss Derek McInnes, Pandur’s goalkeeping coach will be ex-Tigers stopper Allan McGregor, and working with the Scotsman is something he’s looking forward to.
“It means a lot to me to have him as my coach,” he continued. “It is up to me to learn from him and ask him questions and develop under him.
“He is a legend of the club and also in Europe he played a lot of games and in the national team as well. When I found he was the goalkeeping coach, it just filled me with happiness. I want to learn from the best and that’s why I came as well.”
Pandur was in a reflective mood on his first outing at Ibrox in a 2-1 pre-season friendly win over Saint Etienne on Wednesday evening, and was involved again on Sunday against Championship side West Ham, keeping a clean sheet in a goalless draw.
“It was really enjoyable,” he continued. “I think the first time walking out seeing the stadium, sharing it with my teammates, it was a lovely experience, and hopefully there are more to come.
“It’s been class getting to know all the people at the club. 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.”
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