STEPHEN Wright joined Rangers yesterday in a deal in which the value

will be settled by a tribunal, and the move must leave Aberdeen

supporters wondering about their club's ambition.

For 24-year-old Wright admitted that he had never been offered a

re-signing deal by the Pittodrie club, even though they have recently

valued the player at #2.5m.

Wright, who joined Aberdeen as a teenager and has spent his career

there, said at Ibrox: ''Aberdeen never made me any kind of offer to

stay. I was left wondering what my future would be. It surprised me that

there was no effort to keep me at Pittodrie.''

That remains a problem for Aberdeen, who have several other

out-of-contract players worrying over what happens next to them.

Wright's future, though, is assured. He has signed for Rangers and all

that has to be sorted out is the transfer fee.

I understand that the Ibrox club, resigned to a transfer tribunal,

have made an official bid for the player. That is understood to be

around #1m, and half of that proposed fee already has been lodged with

the Scottish League to comply with the rules governing transfers

conducted under tribunal rules.

Aberdeen, of course, have already suggested that #2.5m is their

probable benchmark for the player and they may try to hold out for that.

However, there were no signs yesterday of the club's intentions.

No-one has informed Rangers what size of fee they might require for the

transfer, and with Aberdeen manager Roy Aitken on holiday, no

negotiations have been possible -- hence the acceptance of a tribunal

decision.

Rangers manager Walter Smith said: ''We are happy to add a player of

Stephen's ability to the squad. But we cannot say anything about a

transfer deal until we have spoken to Aberdeen. We have gone through the

procedures which will take us to a tribunal, and that is what we

anticipate will happen.''

Wright, who has won Under-21 honours and full Scotland caps, is

convinced that he had made the right decision. ''I have been

disappointed with the fact that I have not won more Scotland caps,'' he

said, ''and maybe moving to a club as big as Rangers will help me

achieve my ambitions.

''First of all, though, I know that I have to get into the first team

and stay there. It is not easy to come to a club with as many top

internationalists and expect to walk into the team. I have to earn my

place and if I do that then other things will follow.

''I was given the chance last night and I did not hesitate. This is

the kind of move which any player would want to make.''

* HEARTS striker John Robertson claims that he has been offered a

package for the new season that is worth less than the deal he signed

three years ago.

''I'm not being greedy,'' said the Scottish internationalist.

''However, I certainly cannot accept this latest offer.''

The biggest sticking point for the player could centre on a signing-on

fee after Dave McPherson and Jim Bett were well looked after when

joining the Tynecastle club last season.