Le Guen playing poker with his signings

The Ibrox boss wants to add more new faces to his 10 summer signings so far, but has this week hit a roadblock in his attempts to offload a host of unwanted players.

SportTimes understands Le Guen has the funds available now to move for one new defender after he landed right back Phil Bardsley on loan from Man United for free.

Austria Vienna centre back Sasa Papac remains under consideration. But the quality of that target could be enhanced - as could the option to add one or even two more new faces - if he gets rid of the dead wood.

Le Guen, therefore, is playing a waiting game as he hopes that his financial muscle will finally be strengthened in the next seven days.

At the start of this week, he had hoped to free up some £2m. He got Fernando Ricksen off the books, but then hit frustration:

• Jose Pierre-Fanfan fails to agree a move to Gimnastic as he haggles over wages.

• Bob Malcolm's loan to Millwall collapses.

• Dundee United refuse to meet a £200,000 asking price for keeper Allan McGregor.

• Olivier Bernard's move to Sheffield United appears back on the radar - but only if Rangers put in money to facilitate any deal.

• Marvin Andrews insist he wants to fight for his place - knocking back lucrative deals.

These five earn a combined £40,000 a week - and the club are now considering offering pay-offs those who are draining the biggest salaries, notably Pierre-Fanfan and Bernard.

In what could be a frantic time before the window closes, the futures of Gavin Rae, Nacho Novo and Hamed Namouchi are also under consideration.

SportTimes understands that Novo and Namouchi - both with two years left on their contracts - have been told they can find new clubs if suitable offers arrive.

Le Guen is happy for Rae, in the final year of his deal, to fight for his place. But, after two years out with injury, the midfielder wants first team football.

Andrews' case is the most bizarre. Told by Le Guen twice that he should move, it is believed the Trinidadian has rejected £6000 a week offers from clubs in the English Championship as he wants to stay close to his church in Kirkcaldy.

It now appears Gers will be unable to move him on unless they offer a pay-off, which would enable Scottish clubs to offer competitive wages.

Taken from Evening Times