analysis As Rangers negotiate a fee for Espanyol's Raul Rodriguez, their need for new faces is clear
Ally McCoist, ahead of his first season as manager of Rangers, believes he needs at least five new recruits, in addition to Juan Manuel Ortiz, so far his only signing.
There have been failed moves for Craig Conway -- the Dundee United winger chose Cardiff City instead -- and Tomer Hemed, the striker who moved to Real Mallorca. Rangers’ confirmed interest in their former centre-back, Carlos Cuellar, and Conway’s former team-mate at Tannadice, David Goodwillie, have failed to result in transfers.
The Ibrox club last night confirmed they are in negotiations with Espanyol over a fee for their 23-year-old defender, Raul Rodriguez. “He’s a player we’re considering,” said Gordon Smith, the director of football charged with acting on the targets drawn up by McCoist. “We’ve spoken to Espanyol and we’ll speak to them again to try to come to an agreement over a fee. They’ve given us an idea of what they’re looking for, so hopefully we can get something done.”
Rodriguez made 10 appearances for Espanyol last season, after stepping up from their B team following an injury to Juan Forlin and the sale in January of Victor Ruiz. During that time he impressed Rangers scouts looking for a defender with the kind of ability and resale potential they uncovered in Cuellar, who turned a £5.4m profit when he was sold to Aston Villa a year after his £2.4m transfer from Osasuna.
However, as the start of the season draws near and after missing out on previous targets, the pressure grows on Smith and the Rangers chairman, Craig Whyte, to close a deal for their manager.
In Germany, Ian Durrant, the first team coach, was concerned that his players were off the pace in their 1-0 defeat by fourth division Sportfreunde Lotte. Smith was in the stands for the subsequent 3-0 defeat by Bochum, a defeat which could have been even heavier.
Defensive mistakes were made and at the other end only one chance was created, when Nikica Jelavic conjured up an excellent turn to put himself through on goal.
Smith can be in no doubt about the magnitude of the task McCoist is facing as he attempts to strengthen a threadbare-looking Ibrox squad. “It’s much the same as it has been,” said McCoist. “I’m on the phone all the time and you take two step forwards and one back and then it’s two steps back and one forward. But I know what is required and we will get what is required.
“It’s blatantly obvious we need to get players in but we aren’t going to start panicking. I’m hoping to get us involved in a deal to try and sign another midfield player but defenders are a must and we are trying to do something about that.”
After two defeats in Germany, the latest blow for Rangers is news that Kyle Lafferty’s groin problem is likely to keep him out for the start of the season after he was forced to fly home early to have his injury assessed by a specialist, increasing the need for an additional striker.
McCoist said: “I’m not getting too downbeat. We’re not even two weeks into training yet though so I have to put things into perspective. Yes, I’m disappointed with the result and the goals we lost but there is a long way ahead.
“It would only be a concern for me if I didn’t think we would be ready but I believe we will. I believe we will get bodies in to help the lads and it is evident we need to get players in to freshen things up. We’ll do that and we’ll be ready for the first game of the season, I don’t have any doubts about that.”
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