Mendes celebrates his impressive strike against Celtic

Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes has been voted Clydesdale Bank Premier League player of the month for August.

The Portuguese international, 29, joined the Ibrox club from Portsmouth in a �3m deal last month.

Mendes marked his Old Firm debut a first goal for his new club, a long-range drive in the 4-2 win over Celtic.

He also featured in Rangers' home victory against Hearts and the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie, impressing on both occasions.

Manager Walter Smith made several additions to his midfield in the wake of Rangers' exit from Europe at the hands of FBK Kaunas.

Maurice Edu, Steven Davis and Aaron N�guez Esclapez joined Mendes in bolstering the squad.

But it is Mendes who has made the biggest impact in a midfield bereft of injured captain Barry Ferguson.

Twice capped by his country, Mendes began his career in British football when he joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2006 before leaving for Fratton Park two-and-a-half years later.