After months of intense speculation Novo finally joined the Light Blues for the start of pre-season training in 2004, a few days after rejecting Celtic's advances.
And although Nacho is a small in stature - McLeish joked he could 'walk under a bed wearing a top hat' at the press-conference - the former Raith Rovers livewire has become a big hit with supporters. The pacey forward was Alex McLeish's sixth summer capture - hot on the heels of Dado Prso, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Alex Rae, Dragan Mladenovic and Marvin Andrews - and has grabbed his Ibrox chance with both hands. The Ferrol-born hitman, put pen to paper on a four-year contract with the club, and enjoyed a superb debut campaign - netting 25 goals in 49 appearances. Adapting to life at Ibrox wasn't be a problem for the Spaniard as he has a good understanding of the Scottish game. In 2001 the striker was given his chance to impress when Raith Rovers brought him over from SD Huesca and Novo didn't disappoint, scoring 19 goals in 36 games. In fact his form was so impressive that after only one season at Stark's Park Dundee snapped him up for a nominal fee. There he obviously made his mark bagging 6 goals in his first campaign in the SPL and then 26 the following term. Novo admits he still has a lot to learn but has enhanced Alex McLeish's squad and even scored the goal at Hibs in May 2005 that helped secure the club's 51st league championship. Nacho's partnership with Dado Prso was one of the highlights of the 2004/05 double winning campaign and although his goals dried up at the back end of the season, he still contributed with a number of key assists playing on the right wing. The 2005/06 season was a frustrating one for the Spaniard as he struggled to secure a place in the starting eleven but he hoping for a fresh start under Paul Le Guen. |
