LEWIS MACLEOD could have played his last game for Rangers, with manager Ally McCoist admitting he expects there to be further interest in the midfielder ahead of the transfer window re-opening in under three weeks' time.
The 20 year-old, Rangers' most creative player this season, is currently sidelined with a hamstring tear and is not expected to return to action before the festive period at the earliest.
Blackburn Rovers, Burnley and Newcastle United have all been credited with an interest in the Scotland under-21 cap whose transfer could fetch up to £2m. With Rangers' financial troubles well documented - they need to find £8m for "day to day working capital requirements" next year, with the first tranche required next month - selling an asset like Macleod or Lee Wallace would seem to offer the most immediate solution to some of their money worries.
McCoist hoped there would be no offers made for Macleod but was realistic that the player's ability combined with Rangers' precarious situation meant that was likely wishful thinking.
"I don't expect interest probably because I'm not wanting any interest," said the manager. "But I'm not daft enough to think that good players don't attract interest. Lewis is obviously a very, very good player. Things are going well for him at the moment. We will just have to react to whatever happens. But it goes without saying that I understand the economics of the whole situation and I wouldn't be too keen on losing one of our better younger players."
Macleod will sit out this evening's SPFL Championship match away to Queen of the South after sustaining a tear in his hamstring early in the Petrofac Training Cup semi-final defeat to Alloa Athletic last week, but the injury is not as serious as first feared.
"Lewis went for a scan on Tuesday afternoon and he has a first degree tear which, as tears go, is a reasonably good one," added McCoist. "But I spoke to the doc and he said there are one or two complications within that which will keep him out for a couple of weeks. Without setting any targets, I would be hopeful he would be back around about the festive period. I hope he will be back before the New Year."
ends
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