Incoming James Sands is set to take a significant career step with A-list endorsement of his talent still ringing in his ears.
The New York City star looks poised to become Giovanni van Bronckhorst 's first signing as Rangers manager.
An 18-month loan deal with the option to buy is on the cards for the 21-year-old USA international.
A versatile footballer, he helped boss Ronny Deila steer NYC to a first MLS title with his displays in midfield and defence.
Sands was just 16 when he was included in a pre-season squad under then-manager Patrick Vieira.
It can't be too easy to impress one of the finest midfielders of his generation, but the French legend was taken aback by a teenager displaying a game intelligence far beyond his years.
Vieira gave Sands the opportunity to impress in front of a 40,000-strong crowd in a friendly against Emelec in Ecuador and the "special talent" didn't disappoint.
Vieira said: "It just confirmed how we already felt about him.
"He made the team play. Age is just a number — it's about his desire to compete and the talent. He understands the game like a 30-year-old.
"We wanted to give him an experience because he's been doing really well in the academy.
"I've been really impressed with him — he's really calm, composed and good on the ball. He's really smart as a footballer. I think we have a special talent in our football club."
Being thrown into a dressing room containing the likes of Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, too, is a test of any young footballer's character but the latter was just as impressed as Vieira with Sands' potential.
Villa said: "He's really an amazing guy — so smart, so smart.
"We are all very impressed with James. Not only in the game tonight but in training every day. It's good news — very good news for New York City."
From those promising beginnings, Sands has progressed to become a regular fixture at the club and that's also earned him international recognition.
Seven caps with the USA have followed and he now looks ready to become the next American export to Europe.
