The 25-year-old was paraded at Murray Park yesterday after completing a season-long loan move to Ibrox, with striker Andrius Velicka heading in the opposite direction to Aberdeen.

He says most players in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League can only look on in envy when the Glasgow giants do battle in one of the world's most famous derbies.

And Foster now hopes he can force his way into new boss Walter Smith's plans in plenty of time to have a part to play when Rangers travel to Celtic Park for the much-anticipated duel in October.

He said: "You watch those games on television and the atmosphere is incredible, whether it's at Ibrox or Parkhead.

"It's an experience that a lot of boys in Scotland would love to be involved in and hopefully I'm lucky enough to get the chance."

Foster says he did not have to think twice about the switch to Rangers after learning of the Scottish champions' interest just hours before the transfer deadline.

He said: "Rangers are one of the biggest clubs in Scotland, if not the biggest. They are the champions from last year.

"With the training facilities here at Murray Park and the chance to play at Ibrox every second week, I didn't really have to give it too much thought.

"I was very surprised by the move. I hadn't heard anything until Tuesday around 4pm.

"I checked my phone just out of general interest and I had a few missed calls from my agent.

"I phoned him and he said 'pack up your things, you might be going to Rangers'. Eventually, around 9.30pm, I got settled."

As well as the Old Firm clashes, Foster is also relishing the prospect of Champions League football, with Rangers set to face Manchester United, Valencia and Bursaspor in the group stage.

He said: "I've had a little bit of experience of European football in the Europa League a couple of seasons ago with Aberdeen.

"But the Champions League is just another level.

"It's where you want to play your football, especially against teams like Manchester United. It's something I'm looking forward to."