MARVIN Andrews, the Livingston centre-back, is set to join Rangers next season as Alex McLeish continues re-building plans at Ibrox. Sources close to the negotiations have confirmed to The Herald that the Trinidad and Tobago internationalist has already signed a pre-contract agreement.

The defender had previously turned down an offer from Dundee United and attracted interest from a number of English clubs, who liked his rumbustious style and physical presence. He has been offered a two-year-deal by Rangers with a one-year option and will be the latest summer defensive acquisition by McLeish.

Andrews was the biggest wage earner at Livingston, on around (pounds) 3000 a week, and will nearly double his salary at Ibrox. Having him off the wage bill will be a bonus in Livingston's attempts to get out of administration but is a big blow to Davie Hay, the club coach, who saw Andrews as the mainstay of his defence. Sadly for Hay it is likely other regulars at the West Lothian club, like Stuart Lovell and Derek Lilley, may be forced out during the summer to help their financial situation.

With the club in administration and in no position to negotiate new contracts, The Herald understands that only five first-team squad members are guaranteed to remain next season.

Hay was reluctant to comment directly on the news but conceded that Andrews would leave with the best wishes of everyone at the club. ''It's Rangers' place to make comment, but obviously if Marvin does go he will do so with the best wishes of everyone here,'' said Hay. ''We've agreed to keep quiet so it's not for us to say but if it does prove to be true I'm sure he will continue to show the same effort and commitment between now and the end of the season that he has during his time at the club.''

Andrews joined Livingston from Raith Rovers in 2000 and established himself within the side, becoming a favourite with the supporters. Despite his undoubted talent, the fact that McLeish has gone after him is a bit of a surprise considering the French internationalist defender Jean-Alain Boumsong is also due to arrive during the close season.

He also has Zurab Khizanishvili available and possibly the club captain, Craig Moore, although the Australian has been stalling on a new contract. He seems well covered in the defensive area and many Rangers supporters feel his real problems are up front, where Steven Thompson looks the only man capable of scoring goals on a regular basis.

Despite Rangers' well-documented financial problems, McLeish should have money to spend on a new striker considering big earners like Michael Mols, Christian Nerlinger, and Ronald de Boer will all be leaving the club. The Dutchman said he was on his way after Wednesday evening's 1-1 draw with Livingston, with Qatar his most likely destination.

The 33-year-old earned more than (pounds) 30,000 a week and with the downturn in football finance his weekly wage should be enough to secure the signature of at least two new players.

McLeish has acknowledged the need to strengthen his team and how must perform a fine balancing act between bringing in good players while realising the club's debts. ''We need to add quality and I know what I would like in terms of numbers but we also have to stay within the parameters of budgets,'' said the Rangers coach. ''I want 22 to 24 players but they won't be 22 players who are outstanding individuals. We have got to build a squad who can complement others and that is all part of team-building.''

McLeish, who gave a brief debut to teenager Charlie Adam at Almondvale, also promised that Celtic's imminent league title would not be used as an excuse for wild experimentation with young players at the expense of a competitive element.

''They have an unassailable lead and it is a matter of time for them anyway. We have started the process of bringing young players into the set-up and will do that until the end of the season.''

McLeish has also told his players to be more ruthless on the road if they are to play a part in his rebuilding plans. Rangers' dropped points, courtesy of the Livi substitute Colin McMenamin's late equaliser that cancelled out Mols' goal, were the latest in a depressing sequence of away disappointments for the Rangers faithful.

Defeats at Dunfermline and Dundee United, plus failure to win at Motherwell, Aberdeen, and Hearts have added up to a championship stroll for Celtic.

McLeish said: ''I don't think there were any real influences in the midfield. I would like to think we can show more quality. To come to Livingston twice in a season and draw games, without being disrespectful to Livi, won't win you a championship.''