Russian joins foreign legion

Oleg Salenko from Valencia at Ibrox.

Salenko cost the Scottish champions #2.5m and is added to the #4.3m

they paid for Paul Gascoigne and the #3m paid out for Stephen Wright and

Gordan Petric.

It is the biggest cash outlay in the history of the Glasgow club and,

while there were delays in registering the two latest signings, Rangers

have completed the deals with the players' respective clubs.

The signing of the Russian, Salenko, has still to be passed by the

Department of Employment.

Although Petric had a work permit while he was with Dundee United, he

had to re-apply because he had changed clubs.

Last night he was given the all-clear which could allow him to play

today and will certainly have him available for the preliminary round of

the European Cup.

Salenko, of course, is a newcomer and, like all non-EEC nationals,

requires the work permit.

This, however, appears to be a minor problem. He is an established

international player and was in the Russian World Cup squad in the

United States last summer.

Both men strengthen the Rangers squad immensely and manager Walter

Smith pointed out: ''We cannot be confined by the European competition

rules, which limit us to three foreign players. There is no way that we

can lose sight of the domestic challenges we face.

''After all, we have to win at home before we can be in the Champions'

Cup. There is no way we can forget that. That is why we are going for

the best players available.

''In Europe, we will have a problem fitting them all in, but, at home,

that problem does not exist.''

Salenko clearly is a player who excites the Rangers manager. ''He

played against us when he was with Dynamo Kiev and gave us a lot of

problems,'' Smith recalled. ''He is just 26 and both Archie Knox and

myself saw him play for Russia in the World Cup last summer.

''He leads the line well and likes to do his work in the penalty box.

In build, and in style, he reminds you of Jimmy Millar.''

Smith admitted that Florin Raducioiu had been his main target but,

when that deal was in doubt, he looked elsewhere.

Salenko had been just one season with Valencia and Smith did not think

he would be available. When he found out he could be bought, he made his

move.

The striker eventually signed at lunchtime yesterday and added the

final touches to Smith's summer revolution.

Said Smith: ''I have been wanting to change the team around and have

also been looking to lowering the side's average age. I think I've been

able to do both.

''Now, I believe that we're better prepared than we have been for some

time. There is a better look about the squad and a better feel among the

players.

''I wanted to bring in another striker because both Ally McCoist and

Mark Hateley have suffered injuries over the past two seasons and I felt

we needed cover for them.''

Salenko cannot play in this weekend's Ibrox international tournament,

but McCoist has been included in the squad.

Smith also confirmed that Gascoigne and Wright will make their home

debuts against Steaua Bucharest in this afternoon's opening game.

''This is an important weekend for us, because this tournament can

help add that last competitive edge to the side. We have been much

happier with the way things have gone this close season.

''The fitness problems we had last season are not with us this time

and we have strengthened the squad significantly.

''We are a lot happier with the way we are looking.''