SCOTTISH powerhouse Brian Reid went straight into the Burnley squad at Luton Town today after signing a contract to keep him at Turf Moor until the end of the season.

Stan Ternent agreed a deal yesterday with the former Rangers central defender who will fulfill an ambition by playing in England.

The 28-year-old left Scottish First Division outfit Greenock Morton at the end of last season and was set to sign for Austrian club Casino Salzburg.

But when a deal there fell through at the 11th hour, Ternent stepped in and landed the out-of-contract player in a move predicted in later editions of yesterday's Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Reid, who Graeme Souness took to Rangers from Morton for £300,000 in 1991, explained: "I went to Casino Salzburg and agreed the deal. I did the medical and everything looked set to go through and then for some reason - I don't know what happened and will probably never know - the deal fell through.

"There were a few other clubs interested out there but it sickened me a bit so I decided it was best to get back home and maybe try my luck in England and see what happens there."

He added: "The last couple of years I have been at Morton they have been good years and I have played well but my Rangers time I would like to try and forget about because I felt I should have played more games than I did. Whether that was the manager or myself I don't know. The injury I had made things a bit more difficult for me but it's always been my ambition to play in England so I am looking forward to it. "I have been impressed with the size of the club and the manager and the players. I have got on really well with all of them and I am looking forward to the challenge.

"I had heard the reputation of the size of Burnley. Chris Vinnicombe was at Rangers briefly when I was there and he came here and I think that brought home to a few folk the size.

"They say if the team's doing well they can get up to 17,000 and obviously that's where we want to be to get the crowds coming back in.

"In the English Second Division if you look at some of the clubs like Burnley, Man City and Stoke there are a lot of big teams in it. The stadiums and the attendances from what I have been used to in the First Division in Scotland are streets ahead."

Reid has signed until next summer but his pedigree suggests that a longer deal could follow if he produces the goods.

He added: "It's early stages now but the main thing from my point of view is to get back playing and playing the way I can and hopefully be playing well week-in, week-out and see what happens from there."

At six feet, two inches Reid offers a strong physical presence. And as a free agent could represent a sound bit of business. "I am hoping that Brian will be a useful addition to the squad," said Ternent, who has monitored his progress down the years and rewarded Reid for a successful trial spell.

"It adds another player and a bit more strength and balance to the squad. With a bit of fitness and a few games I am sure he will be a good signing for us."

However, Ternent will not be pursuing his interest in Belgian defender Romuald Petit because of problems with the language barrier and wants a more extended look at goalkeeper Frank Petter Kval before deciding whether to offer him a contract.

Andy Cooke says he is happy to stay at Turf Moor after Burnley rejected a bid for the 24-year-old striker from First Division Port Vale.

"If I keep scoring it might create a bit of interest but I have signed a contract and hopefully I will see that out," he said.

Meanwhile, Mark Winstanley is not interested in a move to Third Division Scarborough.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.