Webster not a target

[pete 2,499]

RANGERS chairman David Murray has ruled out a January transfer window swoop for Wigan defender Andy Webster.

The former Hearts stopper has again been mentioned as a possible solution to the centre-back problems at Ibrox.

He was the target of a �£1m bid by Alex McLeish 18 months ago, but Murray says he is not on Paul Le Guen's target list - for the moment.

It is also believed Fifa red tape would prevent Webster moving back to Scotland just months after he became the first player to invoke their new employment rule.

Webster served notice on Hearts he would be leaving after completing three years on a four-year contract. That allowed him to move for a nominal fee, set by a Fifa tribunal, to new employers outwith Scotland.

The 24-year-old was snapped up by Wigan and, after a long process with Fifa because this was a ground-breaking case, he finally made his debut in October.

But the Scotland star has played just three games and is said to be unsettled, sparking speculation Rangers were ready to move.

"I know we were interested in him in the past, but not at the moment," Murray said.

"How could we when we have no idea what the fee would be?"

Murray also refused to comment on whether Rangers were interested in former Hearts captain Steven Pressley, who is also being tracked by Celtic, Newcastle, Southampton and Derby.

It is believed Elvis is on Le Guen's list of possible January targets, and an interest has been posted with his agent Blair Morgan, but he is not the first choice.

Le Guen has targeted two young centre-halves from Europe - one of which is believed to be Young Boys of Berne's 6ft 2in Ivory Cost stopper Steve Gohouri - a player the Gers boss has now watched twice recently.

He could be available for around �£1m, but is also being monitored by a host of mid-table Premiership sides.

Le Guen's funds for a centre-half are likely to be boosted by the departure of Julien Rodriguez. The former Monaco man knows he is no longer first choice and could be shipped back to France with Rennes, Nantes and Nice all interested.

The likes of Lionel Letizi, Gavin Rae, Phil Bardsley and Lee Martin are all likely to leave in January as Le Guen frees up money for three quality signings.

Meantime, young Romanian sensation Marius Alexi could be on his way to Ibrox in a �£250,000 deal.

The 16-year-old plays with Dinamo Bucharest and is already a first- team player.

Chelsea, Man United and Liverpool are all said to be looking at the midfielder, who will arrive in Glasgow shortly for a week's trial at Murray Park.

A Dinamo spokesam said: "He is an exceptional player Rangers are very keen to sign."

 

Bad news for us i think. Le Guen being interested in young Boys.

I hope he now knows the type of CH you need to play in Scotland.

[Gribz 919]

Jury is out on Webster anyway. He hasnt done anything for Wigan but it doesnt look like we are going for him anyway.

 

J Rod and Letizi on there way out!!! Sorry but thats great news. Id still take Pressley aswell as Gohouri and move Hemdani back to midfield.

 

It brings the goalkeeper question back around though. If Letizi leaves we need a 2nd keeper as Klos will also leave at the end of the season. Who would we go for?? - Craig Gordon?? But if we did go for Gordon who would be No.1!

[pete 2,499]

I doubt if we will go for Gordon at this time. he will cost too much as he has just signed a new contract and McGregor is also showing signs of being a good keeper. I think Gordon will go to the premiership eventually.

[delbear 0]

i think we will sign webster on a pre-contract in jan

 

 

 

Del.

[Stefanovitch 0]

I doubt if we will go for Gordon at this time. he will cost too much as he has just signed a new contract and McGregor is also showing signs of being a good keeper. I think Gordon will go to the premiership eventually.

 

Young Lee Robinson just signed a contract extension and could see himself as McGregors deputy. Having said that if we lose both Klos and Letizi in January then we should bring in someone else perhaps Steve Mandanda

[craig 5,199]

i think we will sign webster on a pre-contract in jan

 

Del.

 

Is Webster only on a 1 yr contract at Wigan ?

[Gazza_8 233]

I doubt if we will go for Gordon at this time. he will cost too much as he has just signed a new contract and McGregor is also showing signs of being a good keeper. I think Gordon will go to the premiership eventually.

 

It's rumoured that Craig Gordon has signed for Arsenal in a hush hush deal. Arsenal are supposedly paying his wages at Hearts at present on the agreement he signs for them "officially" in the summer.

[pete 2,499]

It's rumoured that Craig Gordon has signed for Arsenal in a hush hush deal. Arsenal are supposedly paying his wages at Hearts at present on the agreement he signs for them "officially" in the summer.

 

Highly probable that he will go to Arsenal Gav, i don't know about the finished deal bit but they certainly showed an interest last season.

[craig 5,199]

Yeah, I don't know where you keep coming up with this Craig Gordon fantasty Gribz..... there will be bigger and better clubs than us sniffing around him and, on top of that, he would cost too much - we need major surgery elsewhere on the pitch before the keeping area (not that we won't need another keeper).

 

But Gordon to Rangers just won't happen IMO.

[Gribz 919]

Yeah, I don't know where you keep coming up with this Craig Gordon fantasty Gribz..... there will be bigger and better clubs than us sniffing around him and, on top of that, he would cost too much - we need major surgery elsewhere on the pitch before the keeping area (not that we won't need another keeper).

 

But Gordon to Rangers just won't happen IMO.

 

Fantasy?? Im hardly on about Petr Cech! It wouldnt surprise me at all if we went for him.

 

I know Arsene Wenger is a fan after the France match and they will be looking to replace Lehmann soon so I can believe that one and IF we were up against Arsenal then we wouldnt have a chance. But at the moment he is with Hearts so its a possibility