Andy Little says that the history, fan base and ambition of Preston North End were the main reasons behind his decision to sign for the English League One side.

Little, who was released by Rangers at the end of last season, has agreed a two year deal at Deepdale and with the uncertainty of where he would ply his trade in the forthcoming season now behind him, the Enniskillen man is raring to go.

“It is a lot of days sitting watching your phone and hoping your agent has got you something. I have had this feeling before a couple of seasons ago when Rangers went into administration and I didn’t know what my future was so I sort of knew what to expect. But now that I’ve got a date to go back for pre-season and I’ve got something to work to and the security of a contract, it is a good feeling and I’m looking forward to getting started,” he commented.

The former Ballinamallard United player states that he has been very impressed with everything he has seen at Preston.

“I flew over last Friday and went to the stadium to meet the manager and the chief executive and, to be honest, I was really taken aback by it. I didn’t expect it to be as well run a club as it is. Preston North End are certainly one of the biggest clubs in League One and they have a massive history and a big fan base and these were big plus points,” said Little.

He added: “The way it was put to me is that it is a Championship club in League One. The stadium, the training ground, the whole way it is run; it is a championship club or even higher. They have got ambitions of the Premiership in years to come and that was the big thing that attracted me. I had offers in the Championship but it would have meant struggling with a team and maybe being in a relegation battle. I would rather be involved in trying to get promoted to the Championship than trying to stay in the Championship and I think Preston have a really good chance of going up.” Having spent eight years in Scotland, Little is now keen to test himself in England.

“I had offers in the SPL which people maybe expected me to take but I think England in general is a tougher league and a better standard than most other places, whether it is abroad or in America or even further afield. I had offers from all over but in terms of competitiveness and a tough league you don’t get much tougher than England,” he stated.

The versatile Little played numerous positions for Rangers during his time at Ibrox but he says that Preston manager Simon Grayson is looking to use him in his preferred role as a striker.

I spoke to the manager on Friday. He sat down and talked to me and one of the things he said was that he was bringing me there as a striker. He knows I can fill in in other positions which is useful to have but the manager’s position was that he wanted four strikers for two places effectively so that’s where he is seeing me at this stage.” And Little will be vying with former Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Davies for a spot in the team with the Enniskillen man eager to learn from the experienced front man.

“Kevin Davies has played 300 odd games for Bolton Wanderers and he is going to be one I can really learn from him,” he said.

Another target for Little also is to get back in the Northern Ireland reckoning and he hopes playing in League One will help with those ambitions.

“That’s the aim. With the way the European Championships are set out this year we have a much better chance than normal of getting through and I would like to try and be involved in it. It must be five years since I made my debut but I don’t think I have played enough games in my international career so far. I have been involved in squads and been on the bench and had to pull out for one reason or another and it has frustrated me that I don’t have more caps so that is a big ambition for me; the chance to play in these Euro qualifiers, that is a big draw.”