Gers still chasing Goodwillie

30 July 2011 15:31
Rangers manager Ally McCoist has not given up his pursuit of David Goodwillie even though a move south of the border now appears more likely.[LNB] The 22-year-old Dundee United striker has been heavily linked with a move to Blackburn after the Scottish champions failed with a previous bid for the player, who has been valued at £2million by United.[LNB]McCoist - who picked up his first win as Rangers manager thanks to a 2-0 victory away to St Johnstone - is keen to strengthen his squad further and confirmed that Goodwillie was still a target.[LNB]He said: "I don't think he's a Blackburn player. He is a player we have made no secret about but he is still a Dundee United player and we have to show them a lot of respect.[LNB]"What I would say is, if we had an opportunity to bring David Goodwillie to Rangers, then I would like to take that."[LNB]Responding to reports that Rangers have submitted a fresh bid for Goodwillie, McCoist added: "I don't know if it's accurate in terms of a fresh bid going in but I know our people have been talking to their people."[LNB]Den Haag's Wesley Verhoek also remains on McCoist's radar and the Ibrox boss said: "That's something we wouldn't rule out. He is a player we have watched and who we like.[LNB]"The first bid went in eight or nine days ago. There is an opportunity that could possibly happen but we haven't taken it any further yet."[LNB]He added: "I'm very keen on the fact that people are keen on coming to Rangers.[LNB]"That might be an obvious thing to say but I don't mean it to sound obvious - I think it's a very important thing.[LNB]"I would never want to undermine or under-sell our club because it's a massive club and it should be a club that people want to play for."[LNB]Goals from Steven Naismith and Nikica Jelavic secured victory over Saints in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after Rangers had been held to a 1-1 draw by Hearts last week and then suffered a midweek defeat to Malmo in their Champions League qualifier.[LNB]McCoist said: "I was really pleased. We spoke before the game about starting the game better than we did in the previous two games.[LNB]"We did that and we were sharper and stronger and we were more direct in the opening period. We were very positive.[LNB]"I was pleased with the chances we created, we scored two goals and could have scored more.[LNB]"We still have a long, long way to go but we have taken a small step in the right direction. I don't know about relief, I was just more pleased for the boys than anything else."[LNB]Saints boss Derek McInnes felt there were positives to take from the game despite ending up empty-handed.[LNB]He said: "Once a team like Rangers get their noses in front, they get a lift confidence-wise, although it has been pretty clear that they have been striving for that confidence. It makes our task of getting back into the game that bit more difficult.[LNB]"Once we lost the second goal, it was a real uphill task and I think some of the players lost a wee bit of heart and it was always going to be very difficult for us.[LNB]"There are still some positives to take from the game and I've no doubt we will improve and get better as we go along."

Source: Team_Talk