Ally McCoist is preparing to revive his interest in signing Dundee United defender Gavin Gunning.
But the Rangers manager knows he’ll have no chance of landing the stopper unless the club’s financial problems are resolved.
The 23-year-old is out of contract in the summer, and McCoist has already signalled his interest in bringing him to Ibrox.
Gunning, however, is reluctant to follow in countryman Jon Daly’s footsteps because of the off-the-field problems that saw the Rangers playing staff asked to take wage cuts.
With Jackie McNamara desperate to keep him at Tannadice, and offers from a number of English clubs, the Irishman wants to take his time before making a decision over his long-term future.
McCoist, though, remains an admirer, and accepts the uncertainty of moving to Ibrox as things stand is something any player would need to take into account.
He said: “I like Gunning as a player, and any player has to look after his family.
“If there are question marks over finance and, let’s be honest, there has been at our place it does become an issue.
“I totally accept and understand his views. I would say he was quite right. He has a family to look after. Football is a job and it is a great job.
“But at the end of the day, you have bills to pay like every household so I can understand his concern.
“We have been in administration, liquidation, bank loans. So it’s only natural Gavin has concerns, but he certainly was a possible signing.
“But with our Scottish Cup semi-final coming up, it would be totally wrong of me to start commenting on Dundee United players and I wouldn’t do that.”
With the League One title already in the bag, McCoist can spend more time putting the finishing touches on their preparations and plans for United.
But the Rangers manager revealed his blueprint to deal with the Tannadice club last season was ruined just seconds into the game.
“That game was unbelievable,” he said.
“We spent two days working on the diagonal ball to big Jon Daly, honest to God.
“Then we got to Tannadice and we lost a goal after 15 SECONDS!
“I promise you, it was two days’ work on defending it. It just shows you how your plans can get thrown up in the air.”
While the debate over the match being staged at Ibrox continues to rumble on, McCoist is honest enough to admit he wouldn’t have been pleased to be taking his side to Parkhead if a Scottish Cup Final with Celtic was on the cards.
Such a scenario, of course, was avoided when Aberdeen eliminated the Hoops, but the Light Blues boss has some sympathy for United.
When asked how he’d feel about playing Celtic at Parkhead in a Final, McCoist said: “To be honest, I wouldn’t have been delighted with it.
“But given the fact the decision was made months ago, I wouldn’t have had a problem with it.”
In the meantime, McCoist wants his players to remain unbeaten in the League and wants to see them record another victory when they travel to take on Brechin City on Sunday.
He said: “We’ve got big games to look forward to, but I still want to see us finish the League season strongly.”
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