City have clinched the loan signing of Rangers defender Andy Webster.

The 26-year-old arrives from the Scottish Premier League side today and provides instant cover for Jamie McCombe and Christian Ribeiro - both out with long-term injuries.

 World TV: Andy Webster video interview
 World TV: Gary Johnson video interview

Manager Gary Johnson told bcfc.co.uk: "We needed competition at centre-half and Andy is a rabbit out of the hat, that's for sure.

"To get somebody of Andy's experience, given the amount of games he played for Hearts and internationally for Scotland, is fantastic.

"He's seen our rising status and it's a move that works for all parties. He needs games and we feel he's fit enough."

Rangers boss Walter Smith said: "We feel it will be beneficial for him to get regular football there and we hope he can return to the level we all know he is capable of."

Webster began his career at Arbroath in 1999, making his debut aged just 17.

A £75,000 deal took the defender to Hearts in 2001, where he made 149 appearances and bagged six goals.

But the defender made football transfer history in 2006 when he cancelled his contract at Tynecastle, using a FIFA loophole to move to Wigan Athletic in the Premier League.

Just six months later Rangers took Webster back north of the border in a loan deal and the deal was made permanent this summer.

The Dundee-born centre-back also has 22 caps for Scotland, scoring once for his country.

Webster joins City until January 18th and has been handed squad number 16. The deal is subject to international clearance and Football League approval.