Manchester, England - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson turned to a goalkeeper with proven European experience when he signed Motherwell's Andy Goram on Thursday.
The 36-year-old former Rangers player, who completed a £100 000 (about R1-million) loan transfer, has won 43 Scotland caps and will link up with the coach who handed him his international debut.
Ferguson picked Goram to play against East Germany in 1986 when he was caretaker national manager following the death of Jock Stein and later included him in his Mexico World Cup squad as back-up for Jim Leighton.
"If someone had told me last week that I'd be coming to Manchester United, I'd have said they were off their heads," Goram said on Thursday.
"Having played in the Champions League and in "Old Firm" games, nothing down here is going to phase me. That's the good thing. I've done it before."
Goram was in the Rangers side that came within one match of reaching the Champions League final in 1992-93, playing against Manchester United's current first-choice goalkeeper Fabien Barthez when he was with Marseille.
"Being here doesn't worry me, I'm glad I've had the experience," he said. "Without it, I think I could have struggled."
Goalkeeping crisis
United signed Goram until the end of the season to solve a goalkeeping crisis ahead of their Champions League quarterfinal against Bayern Munich on April 3. He is eligible to play in the English premier league and Champions League.
"We need cover in the form of an experienced goalkeeper who can handle a European tie," said Ferguson.
"There is no one better in a big-game situation - we are delighted to have him until the end of the season."
Ferguson had been hit by injuries to Barthez (thigh) and understudy Raimond van der Gouw (knee), leaving 19-year-old Paul Rachubka as his only fit 'keeper.
American-born Rachubka made his league debut in the 2-0 win over Leicester City last Saturday, but Ferguson is unwilling to risk him against the German champions in the opening leg of their quarterfinal at Old Trafford.
Goram was Scotland's first-choice 'keeper at Euro 92 and Euro 96. He later walked out on the squad and threatened to retire from soccer after being dropped by Rangers in 1998 following seven years at Ibrox.
Loan spells at English clubs Sheffield United and Notts County followed before Motherwell signed him in January 1999. - Reuters