Old Firm should be looking a lot closer to home

Sometimes you find what you are looking for staring you right in the face.

I can’t understand the fuss about Rangers needing to sign a centre-half.

Forget Christophe Berra, Ally McCoist already has the answer to his defensive problems in his squad.

I am, of course, talking about Lee Wallace.

The Scotland internationalist has the experience, pace and above all footballing ability to switch inside from left-back.

Playing in the Second Division, I believe he would be a stand out in the role.

Good enough, perhaps, to go on and help the country in a position we have struggled with.

It is a move that makes even more sense when you consider the fact Rangers have the ideal candidate to step in at left-back.

Steven Smith has already played with distinction in the position for the club and for Norwich at the top level in England. A man with those credentials should not be kicking his heels in the reserves.

Good management of playing resources is part of the manager’s job.

Ally McCoist achieved his target last season by leading Rangers to the Third Division title.

As I have said in this column before, I am not convinced, however, that he always made the best use of the squad at his disposal.

Of course, the transfer embargo made life very difficult.

But he still had some very talented players at his disposal to deploy against a league of part-timers.

I think Neil Lennon, the Celtic manager, is a good example of someone who has proved himself skilled at juggling his squad.

He carried out exactly the sort of move I am talking about when re-inventing Charlie Mulgrew as a centre-half.

And then again, when turning him into a holding central-midfielder.

He identified strengths in the player’s game which would allow him to be effective in a different role and went for it. His move to challenge Beram Kayal to step up at a time when Victor Wanyama looks set to go is typically shrewd.

Wanyama will be missed by Celtic. He is an exceptional young talent.

The reason he is coveted by English Premier League clubs is that his strength and physique will allow him to continue to shine when he steps up to an even higher level.

His displays in the Champions League last season proved that.

Kayal doesn’t have the physical presence of the Kenyan but for me he has more footballing ability.

He is an experienced internationalist and fiercely competitive, which works well in our game.

He himself looked set to go to England in a big move a couple of years ago and it makes sense for Lennon to try and spur him on at this stage.

After all, he retains the option to go and bring a new face in.

Covering all the alternatives is simply good management.