DEREK LLAMBIAS, the Rangers non-executive director and close ally of Mike Ashley, has given manager Ally McCoist the go-ahead to continue scouting targets for January.
The former Newcastle United managing director, who joined the Ibrox board - initially as consultant - following the departure of chief executive Graham Wallace last month, has overseen cost-cutting measures since arriving at the club, making 10 employees redundant a fortnight ago.
The latest financial figures revealed Rangers require an additional £8 million in loans or share capital to survive the season, but McCoist said last night he has been speaking frequently to Llambias - even after the 2-0 defeat at Tynecastle last week which left Rangers trailing Hearts by nine points - and has already been on a scouting trip south of the border to look at potential targets. The trip wasn't limited to running the rule over potential loan signings from Newcastle.
McCoist said. "I spoke to Derek Llambias on Wednesday and I've spoken to him a good few times. He has been positive about the team and is obviously keen to help the team progress. We're still very, very hopeful we can get promoted this year and we're all aware of the challenges ahead. So we'll see what the January window brings.
"I've been [to England scouting players] already," added the Rangers manager, who also ran the rule over a couple of Canadian youth international players at Murray Park this week. "You cover as many games as you can. We were down south last week at a couple of games. Not just Newcastle. We're trying to look all over the place.
"There have been no discussions in respect of 'you'll have x-amount to spend' or 'you need to get rid of him'. That will be for further down the line. He said continue to do your job and go and look at players, then we'll have discussions."
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