ALLAN McGREGOR's on-off move to Besiktas could be completed later this week.
According to reports in Turkey, the former Rangers goalkeeper is expected to fly out to Istanbul within the coming days to sign a two- year deal.
Besiktas thought they had recruited the Scotland No.1 – who elected not to transfer his contract over to the Rangers newco – a fortnight ago but a deal could not be completed. If McGregor signs for the Super Lig side this time around, he will follow in the footsteps of former Rangers team-mates Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller who both had brief, unsuccessful recent stints in Turkish football.
Rangers newco, meanwhile, have confirmed that agent Paul Stretford is "assisting" the Ibrox club. Stretford was banned in 2008 for 18 months and fined £300,000 for a number of misconduct charges relating to how he acquired the right to represent Wayne Rooney, the England and Manchester United striker, six years earlier.
Stretford's link with the club is revealed as manager Ally McCoist prepares to bolster his squad for life in the Irn-Bru Third Division next season. On acceptance of Scottish Football Association membership, Rangers newco will have until September 1 to sign players before a 12-month registration embargo begins.
McCoist has watched as six senior players from his squad signed for new clubs this summer but looks likely to retain the services of Lee McCulloch after reports yesterday suggested the 34-year-old had turned down lucrative offers to play in the Middle East. McCulloch was among the scorers as Rangers defeated Albion Rovers 5-1 at Murray Park on Saturday. Alejandro Bedoya, Maurice Edu, Neil Alexander, Carlos Bocanegra, Kirk Broadfoot and Dorin Goian also played.
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