CHRIS LAKEY Mark Fotheringham believes he has chosen a higher standard of football by opting for Norwich City in the Championship rather than Rangers in the Scottish Premier League.

CHRIS LAKEY

Mark Fotheringham believes he has chosen a higher standard of football by opting for Norwich City in the Championship rather than Rangers in the Scottish Premier League. The midfielder trained with the Scottish giants last week, but having weighed up his options decided to head south.

“I went to watch Rangers against Hearts at the weekend,” he explained. “It was alright but I think the standard is a lot stronger in the Championship as a whole, with the amount of teams and the size of the clubs here so that was obviously a big decision for me, but that's the main reason I am down here.”

Fotheringham's roots are, like boss Peter Grant, with Celtic, where he made his debut at the age of 16 - and is still the club's youngest ever player.

“He was a big hero of mine up at Celtic with guys like Paul McStay so I am absolutely delighted to be down here,” he added. “I know Norwich is a big club all set up for the Premiership as well so it is really exciting times as well. I know David Marshall from my time at Celtic, but the main reason is to play in this league and play in England as well. It has got such a tradition. I am just delighted to be down here, I'm buzzing.”

Fotheringham has played twice in England - in testimonial matches for Ryan Giggs and Tony Adams. The third time could be this weekend, when Leeds are at Carrow Road - and his first impression of his new team-mates is a good one, after watching them batter, but fail to beat, Wolves on Tuesday.

“I thought they were fantastic in the first half,” he said. “The keepers from Wolves had a really good game and we were very unlucky. I am so impressed with the squad, we have got some good players here and I just can't wait to get started playing with them.”

Should Fotheringam figure on Saturday, there is little doubt that fans will be hoping for a glimpse of the 'Fozzy Flick', which involves a back heel over his and a defender's head, although with City in a precarious league position, he insists now is not the time or the place.

“I am a technical player so I like to do things off the cuff, but I am not going to be doing stupid tricks when we are in a situation where we are battling in the Championship and we want obviously to go as high as we can,” he said. “I don't think this is the right situation to be doing tricks - we are in a fight here and we need to make sure we move up the table as fast as we can. It is a case of picking the right moment to do it and knowing when not to do it.”