RANGERS have launched a bid to sign #2m-rated German World Cup keeper Andreas Kopke.

Ibrox coach Dick Advocaat has earmarked the 36-year-old, who has won 55 caps, as a replacement for Lionel Charbonnier, whose knee injury will keep him out all season.

Kopke currently plays for French side Marseille, and is under contract until next July.

However, he has just announced he plans to quit the league leaders after losing his first-team place to youngster Stephane Porato.

Sources in France last night revealed that Rangers have made him the most tempting of a number of offers he has already received.

''I can't put up with my situation at Marseille,'' the German declared. ''I have decided to leave.

''My relationship with coach Rolland Courbis has become intolerable - we have a clash of personalities.''

Kopke had a major dispute with Courbis last week, and decided to walk out after learning that the manager had signed an extension to his contract.

Marseille vice-president Jean-Michel Roussier insisted: ''We have had an amicable divorce from Andreas.

''He will be able to continue training with us until he finds a new club.''

Rangers' Finnish keeper, Antti Niemi, has performed well since stepping in for Charbonnier, but Advocaat has decided he wants the hugely experienced Kopke to fill the season-long gap left by the Frenchman.

He is now poised to bring the former Hertha Berlin, Nuremberg and Eintracht Frankfurt No.1 to Glasgow.