Source: Team_Talk
Gers boss fears more departures
Rangers manager Walter Smith has raised fears that his playing squad could soon be diminished, with Kevin Thomson interesting Middlesbrough.[LNB] A day after admitting market forces were making it difficult for him to strengthen his playing pool, Rangers manager Walter Smith raised fears that it could soon be diminished.[LNB]Smith revealed his squad was still susceptible to big-money bids as he confirmed Middlesbrough had made a formal approach for midfielder Kevin Thomson.[LNB]The 25-year-old has one year left on his contract and could join Kris Boyd in swapping Ibrox for the Riverside with former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan keen to add to his Scottish contingent on Teesside.[LNB]Smith signed a new one-year contract with the debt-hit club earlier this summer after negotiating a more favourable budget with Lloyds Banking Group.[LNB]However, he has so far struggled to bring players in and the improved financial outlook does not extend to refusing bids for players who are nearing the end of their contracts.[LNB]Smith said: "There has been an interest from Middlesbrough. So far we haven't reached any agreement.[LNB]"We would like to stave off any enquiries that we get for any of our players but unfortunately we have to listen to them all."[LNB]The good news for Smith, who revealed that a "percentage" of any fee received for Thomson would go into his transfer fund, is that the midfielder is the only player currently attracting attention.[LNB]Liverpool's interest in teenage defender Danny Wilson has faded, while there is no sign of an imminent move for Algeria defender Madjid Bougherra despite increased speculation following his World Cup exploits.[LNB]"We had an enquiry from Hamburg about a month ago but they haven't followed that up," Smith said of Bougherra.[LNB]"Hopefully that will be the only one we get in his case. He is coming back to us at the weekend following his World Cup campaign."[LNB]The 62-year-old added: "We have had no more enquiries for any of our players."[LNB]While Smith is concerned about approaches for his players, he remains relatively confident about his squad's strength ahead of their departure for a pre-season tour of Australia on July 20.[LNB]Rangers have won two Scottish Premier League titles since they last signed a new player in August 2008, although they have lost Boyd, Nacho Novo, Stevie Smith and DaMarcus Beasley this summer.[LNB]"We've got a group of about 18 at the present moment and we would obviously like to add a couple of players to that, and then we have some younger players underneath," Smith said.[LNB]"We would maybe like to see a couple of players coming in in the next few weeks or so.[LNB]"If we can do that, we will be in good condition to try and keep hold of the championship."[LNB]However, Rangers fans - who were today encouraged to help the club through their tough financial times by buying season tickets for the use of members of the Armed Forces - may face another wait before any transfer targets come in.[LNB]"There is a whole lot of them beyond our reach at the moment but that's the situation that we're in," Smith said.[LNB]"We have been in financial constraints over the last couple of seasons but we've managed to hold a good group of players together and had a level of success.[LNB]"Our group at the present moment, if we can hold them together and maybe add a couple, are fine.[LNB]"We'll handle the season okay if that's the case but we are susceptible to a bid for some of the players, especially for the out-of-contract ones.[LNB]"We hope that doesn't happen but the transfer deadline is August 31 so maybe we'll have to wait right up to the end of that to see where we are overall with our squad."[LNB]While not a new signing, Andy Webster offers Smith another option in central defence after he rejuvenated his career on a season-long loan at Dundee United.[LNB]Davie Weir and Kirk Broadfoot both signed new contracts to leave Smith satisfied with his defensive options and allow him to bring in more creative players.[LNB]"We're solid enough at the back, maybe the wider areas of the pitch and midfield areas we need to add to that, and that's where we'll be looking over the next few weeks," Smith said.[LNB]One of the younger players who could step up to assist the reduced first-team squad is 21-year-old defender Jordan McMillan, who on Thursday signed a new two-year contract.[LNB]Smith said: "Jordan has reached the stage now where he is ready to push on after going out on loan to Queen of the South in the second half of last season.[LNB]"He showed up very well in his time in Dumfries and he is ready to come in and support the first team if necessary."[LNB]Meanwhile, third-choice goalkeeper Scott Gallacher has joined Second Division club Forfar on loan for the first half of the season.
