AS Neil Alexander, the former Rangers goalkeeper, ended his anxious summer with the big move he was after, Steve Simonsen, the former England under-21 internationalist, is still unsure whether he will be offered a deal at Ibrox.

His enthusiasm for securing said contract is, at least, is cut and dry. After a successful spell with Dundee towards the end of last season - "I loved every minute of my time in Scotland" - the former Everton and Tranmere player has been greeted by a few familiar faces during his trial at Rangers.

"I knew Jon Daly from his time at Dundee United and the derbies I was involved in last season," he said. "Nicky Law is another one; he's a class act which I know from having played against him down south."

Ally McCoist, the Rangers manager, is looking for someone with experience to challenge Cammy Bell for the goalkeeping position, and Simonsen has until the end of the week to press his particular claim.

"It would be a dream move to sign for Rangers," he said. "They're still a huge club despite everything which has been going on off the field in recent times. I really enjoyed my first day training with the lads and it's a marvellous set-up at Murray Park.

"I was blown away by it to be honest when I arrived first thing in the morning for training. It would rival the top six clubs in the Premier League. The potential is massive and they obviously want to get back to where they feel they belong, which I would really like to be part of."

Alexander, meanwhile, released by Rangers at the start of the summer, has signed for Barclays Premier League side Crystal Palace, thanks to a chance phone call with the club's goalkeeping coach, George Wood, with whom he worked at Cardiff City. One thing led to another, reacquaintances were made, and he signed a one-year deal. His job will be to put pressure on Cardiff's current goalkeeping incumbent, Julian Speroni; the Argentine is, like Simonsen, a former Dens Park player.

"I was really sad to leave Rangers and very disappointed about the way things worked out," said Alexander. "But I have landed on my feet with this move. I came down to London over the weekend and we managed to get the deal done so I'm really pleased. It's a great challenge for me."

As Rangers travel to Stranraer for their second game in SPFL League One, Alexander will instead be involved in the bright lights of a London derby with Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Simonsen, meanwhile, will just be hoping he's out of the dark.