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FORMER Rangers midfielder Ian Black has been dubbed Shrewsbury's model pro by his manager Micky Mellon.

Black joined the English League 1 side on a two-year deal in September after becoming one of the casualties during Rangers' summer cull.

He has since made five appearances for the Shrews, playing in two wins and three defeats in October and his manager Mellon, who was born and raised in Paisley but has spent his entire career in England, has highlighted the impact he has had on the club.

"I think the word we use is he barks at people if he doesn't get the desired performances out of people he's playing with," said Mellon.

"He'll have a little chip at people and he's a good organiser. But he'll have a little chip at them in the right way, he knows how to speak to people which is important.

"They know why he's doing it because Ian Black knows they can do better. I wish I had 11 of them like that, I really do - I'd fill the place with them.

"Some players need people like that in the team to get them going.

"He brings a big smile to my face, he's such a battler.

"He's come in after several months of not doing anything, but he's one of those guys who you'd rather have him in your team than against you.

"He's a great little guy. He loves his football, he's always smiling and he trains really well every day.

"He's a good pro that demands high standards from the players around him, which is brilliant for me because I don't have to keep doing it.

"He wants to win and it affects him if he loses, and he doesn't understand why other people wouldn't feel the same.

"So he's brilliant to have around and everyone loves having him here. He's doing well at the minute.

"He'd agree he's only going to get even better so that's great news. He's definitely got the desire to want to get better and he wants to do well for us, so I love having him here."