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McCoist set for talks over Israel striker Hemed as Rangers make their move


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11 Jun 2011

 

RANGERS will step up their efforts to make Tomer Hemed their first close-season signing over the next 48 hours.

 

Talks will take place with the Israel internationalist�s agent this weekend with a view to making the 24-year-old the first arrival of Ally McCoist�s reign. Backroom staff John Brown and Ian Durrant have both delivered highly favourable reports having watched the Maccabi Haifa player and McCoist hopes to take him to Ibrox.

 

ââ?¬Å?Weââ?¬â?¢ll talk to his agents over the next couple of days,ââ?¬Â McCoist said last night. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢ve had great reports on him. By all accounts heââ?¬â?¢s a good lad, very professional. He has a good pedigree and a good attitude.ââ?¬Â

 

Hemed, who is available on a Bosman free transfer, made his debut for Israel earlier this month, although he would be seen as competition for Nikica Jelavic and Kyle Lafferty, rather than an automatic starter. David Goodwilie, the Dundee United striker, also remains on Rangers� radar.

 

McCoist will meet Craig Whyte, the new owner of Rangers, again on Tuesday, when they will update each other on the latest signing and contract issues. Whyte has met Allan McGregor�s agent to discuss a new deal for the Scotland goalkeeper and he will also have discussions soon with the representatives of Steven Whittaker and Steven Davis.

 

Carlos Cuellar is a target for McCoist, but the defenderâ��s future remains uncertain while his current club, Aston Villa, are without a manager. Roberto Martinez of Wigan Athletic turned them down yesterday and Cuellar cannot get confirmation on whether he is free to talk with other clubs until that situation is resolved. Even then, Rangers could be priced out if the defender holds out for more than �£25,000-per-week.

 

ââ?¬Å?Carlos hasnââ?¬â?¢t played much this season at Villa,ââ?¬Â said McCoist. ââ?¬Å?Weââ?¬â?¢re hoping that heââ?¬â?¢ll be realistic about his wages and want to get back playing regularly again, and obviously thatââ?¬â?¢s what we can offer him. But if some of the wages quoted for him are accurate thereââ?¬â?¢s no way we can compete and our interest would end there and then.

 

ââ?¬Å?He did have a fantastic time when he was at Rangers before. Thatââ?¬â?¢s what weââ?¬â?¢re pinning our hopes on. Maybe heââ?¬â?¢ll think this was a good club, with good people and great fans, and coming back will appeal to him. But we canââ?¬â?¢t resolve anything until they have appointed a new manager and heââ?¬â?¢s had a look at the players he has.ââ?¬Â

 

Central defence is a major area of concern for Rangers. They are still unclear on whether Kyle Bartley will be allowed to rejoin them from Arsenal, although Arsene Wenger may clarify that in the coming days, while talks have yet to take place between McCoist and David Weir about whether the 41-year-old will stay at Ibrox. Madjid Bougherra has expressed his wish to return to England but McCoist also hopes to agree a fee with Aberdeen for Richard Foster, who was at Rangers on loan last season.

 

Meanwhile, the police have given the Ibrox side permission to play Blackpool in a friendly at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday, July 19.

 

Another 48 hours!:whistling:

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Thats almost 48 hours ago, Pete ;)

 

Which means we can expect an announcement in a matter of hours. Or can we? Don't keep your head to close to the rails while waiting for word or the night train to London may run over it. If it is not also delayed.:smile:

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Which means we can expect an announcement in a matter of hours. Or can we? Don't keep your head to close to the rails while waiting for word or the night train to London may run over it. If it is not also delayed.:smile:

 

I'm not expecting anything it will be at least 72 hours at least before anything happens.

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ALLY McCOIST was today told the signing of Tomer Hemed was a "no-brainer" as the Rangers manager steps up his pursuit of the Israeli striker.

 

Hemed will this week hold talks with the Ibrox club as McCoist attempts to complete his first transfer as Gers boss.

 

The 24-year-old had a stunning season for Maccabi Haifa last year, finishing top goalscorer as they clinched the Israeli championship, and was given a glowing recommendation to the new Light Blues chief by former Aston Villa boss John Gregory, who had him on loan at Maccabi Avi Nazareth two years ago.

 

He is available on a Bosman and with wages believed to be around the �£7,000 mark, the deal makes sense for the former Rangers striker.

 

“He is a tremendous kid and I told Ally it was a no-brainer,” Gregory said. “He doesn’t even have to think about it because Hemed’s move would be a free transfer.

 

“I told him there was nothing to worry about, just to take him and watch him blossom.

 

“Tomer is a big, strong boy who can look after himself. I sincerely hope he ends up with Rangers because I think it would be a terrific move on both sides.”

 

Hemed has emerged as McCoist’s primary target as he looks to bolster his attacking arsenal ahead of Rangers’ title defence.

 

The six-foot forward netted 17 goals last season for Maccabi, and Gregory reckons Hemed’s work ethic will only see him improve in the coming years.

 

“He is the consummate professional,” he said

 

“When I spoke to Ally last week, I said that if he ever couldn’t get hold of Tomer on the phone, then he should look on the training field because he might well be out there.

 

“If he is not there, then he will be down the gym. That’s the kind of kid he is. While he was in Israel, he paid out of his own pocket to employ his own sprint coach.

 

“Once a fortnight, he would spend three or four hours with this coach after training.

 

“He does these things because he just wants to be the best he can.”

 

Hemed will join former Haifa team-mate Beram Kayal in the heat of the Old Firm battle should he complete his Bosman switch.

 

And Gregory reckons the striker can prove as big a hit as his Celtic counterpart.

 

He said: “They are from the same club, Maccabi Haifa, and have similar mentalities.

 

“Kayal is another 100% lad. He works as hard as Hemed and gets the rewards from that.”

 

Meanwhile, McCoist also hopes to open talks with Crystal Palace midfielder Neil Danns over a Bosman move to Ibrox.

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/tomer-hemed-move-is-a-no-brainer-1.1106532

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Guest Dutchy

I think that there's just alot of feelers going out at the moment, but these negotions with Hemed seem to be well on, so he may become our first signing if all goes well.

 

We need to get 'wee gems' for a reasonable price, to avoid being plunged into serious debt again.

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