[retired_donna121]

Furman fit as Gers eye new faces

Rangers teenager Dean Furman has vowed to force his way into Walter Smith's first-team plans after putting his injury woes behind him.

Rangers teenager Dean Furman has vowed to force his way into Walter Smith's first-team plans after putting his injury woes behind him.

The South African midfielder, 19, has been out of action since captaining the Under-19s to victory over Celtic in the SFA Youth Cup final at the end of April.

The former Chelsea youth player has since undergone surgery to repair a torn knee cartilage and is determined to make an impact in the season ahead.

Furman was previous boss Paul Le Guen's first signing 12 months ago and he is also confident of impressing current boss Smith.

He told the club's official website: "It's been six weeks since I had my op and now it's important for me to get back into training.

"It's been a slow process and I haven't kicked a ball since the final but I hope to be back in training a couple of weeks into the pre-season.

"Obviously, it's based on performances and whoever the manager likes but I'd certainly hope to be involved in the first-team this season.

"It would be great to be a part of the full squad again."

There is likely to be competition for places in most positions next season, with Smith expected to make several new signings in the coming days.

Smith's main target is apparently Bordeaux's Julien Faubert, 23, who has been capped once for France and may cost around £4.3million.

The French club are reluctant to part with Faubert, who can play in defence and midfield, but his agents claim he is keen on a move to Glasgow and Rangers have reportedly formally notified Bordeaux of their interest.

New Light Blues signings Alan Gow and Kirk Broadfoot were recruited after both signed pre-contract agreements in January, and the next Scottish club Smith looks set to plunder is Kilmarnock for Steven Naismith.

Rangers have already had an offer of £450,000 rejected but may be prepared to meet Killie's valuation of the SPFA Young Player of the Year - believed to be in the region of £1.5million - in a bid to have the striker on board for pre-season training.

Wigan's Lee McCulloch is another target and talks with the Scotland international should take place over the next couple of days.

Previous boss Paul Jewell refused to sanction a move in January but his successor Chris Hutchings is likely to let the player go if the price is right, meaning Gers will have to pay £2million for his services.

I thought he was going to be a decent player when Le Guen signed him so will be interesting to see how he gets on this season.

[retired_brat7]

as much as I like Sebo and would love to see him do well at Ibrox, Boyd and Darcheville will probably be the front two next year

Boyd can't play the one upfront role but he pretty much guarantees at least 25 goals a season and it's goals that win games, not performances

we could win every game next year by one goal like Celtic were doing in most last year, playing unattractive football and I think most would be happy, goals win games and titles :thup:

we all remember the great football we played under Advocaat but that was when we had a good midfield, pretty much now we don't have good movement to perform and win games 6-0 like we used to do - although that's also due to the other SPL clubs improving like Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen

[retired_brat7]

JCD :cool:

think the :cool: is pretty appropriate there

pre-season training begins tomorrow, the football is nearly back \o/

[retired_gitfresh]

Wigan Observer this week, and it's usually spot on with transfer talk, says that McCullouch will finally join you for £2.5m in the next week.

[retired_2symonds]

Jings! Not too happy if we get McCulloch to be honest, especially at that price.

What do you think of McCulloch anyway batch as you probably see more of him than all of us?

[retired_gitfresh]

I've just posted this on another forum where a Gers fan asked my opinion on him -

He's hard as nails never say die. Wins everything in the air but will never score loads, not even in the SPL. No skill at all though.

Last season he wasnt much kop. Didnt seem his heart was in it after January - i wonder why

Local paper tonight (and it's usually bang on with transfer stuff) says he'll be gone for £2.5m in the next week or so. Thats good business on our part i feel he is on the wane now.

[retired_gitfresh]

Oh and are you keeping Webster or not ?

[retired_anief007]

Originally posted by batch:
Oh and are you keeping Webster or not ?

I've heard we're keeping him on loan till January until this mess with Hearts is sorted.

[retired_anief007]

Originally posted by batch:
Wigan Observer this week, and it's usually spot on with transfer talk, says that McCullouch will finally join you for £2.5m in the next week.

Ughhh, I just seen this. Gutted ffs David & Walter, spend half that on Naismith instead and put the rest to someone else!

[retired_katierosinski]

McCulloch is crap and I am not happy that we are signing him.

Faubert wont come. We wont be able to afford him and we never put in a bid anyway. We may be interested but it stinks of a ploy to sell more season tickets.