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Rangers manager Ally McCoist confirms West Ham United are interested Nikica Jelavic
The Ibrox club's boss admitted Sam Allardyce's side had been talking to Gers chairman Craig Whyte about the Croatian striker, however no other English sides have made contact
21 Jan 2012 20:55:00
By John Stammers
Getty Images
Ally McCoist has revealed that talks have taken place between Rangers chairman Craig Whyte and West Ham co-owner David Sullivan regarding the Scottish club's top scorer Nikica Jelavic.
Jelavic signed for the Gers back in the summer of 2010, arriving from Austrian side Rapid Wien for a fee understood to be around £4 million and his technical ability, as well as his goalscoring record, have seen him linked with a move away from Ibrox.
The Croation, who has 31 goals in 44 league games for Rangers, was unable to spark any magic in the club's disappointing 1-1 draw with Aberdeen on Saturday, and his manager confirmed the two clubs are in conversation.
Speaking to reporters, McCoist said: "I spoke to Craig [Whyte, the chairman] today and I believe Craig had a conversation with David Sullivan.
"But Craig was very keen to point out that absolutely no offers had been made at all. I think it was just a pretty informal chat they had."
The striker has been linked with a variety of English clubs, including Premier League side Liverpool, but the 49-year-old has denied knowing of any other interest.
He added: "That's news to me, I've certainly not been told. The only team where there has been an indication of interest is West Ham."
Rangers' title rivals Celtic defeated St Mirren 2-0 in the lunch-time game, a result which means Jelavic and Co. are now five points behind following the draw at Ibrox.
McCoist is still adamant that his side can catch Neil Lennon's Bhoys, fully insistent that the current Rangers squad is more than capable of winning the league.
Fe said: "Absolutely. Of that there is no doubt. We've got a squad of players I believe can win the championship."
However, when asked if he would have the same answer if his star striker left, the former Scotland international seemed hesistant and reluctant.
"I'll answer that question if and when it happens and hopefully it won't happen," he said.
"I would hazard a guess and give you the same answer because I'm not going to sit here and tell you we'll not win the title."
The Rangers boss insists he will not panic if Jelavic is sold, but he is looking to stregthen his squad, mainly due to injuries.
He continued: "I'm not any more urgent because it was urgent before. I know what we need and hopefully we can get that sorted.
"Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith are both goalscoring threats and when you take them out of your team you've got a little bit of a problem. We need to replace that."
Craig Brown, the Aberdeen manager, was on the receiving end of some bad news, suggesting Rob Milsom's season may have to end early due to knee surgery.
He said: "He is likely to be out for the season.
"He had a knee operation in London yesterday and the leg was examined and there was more damage than first feared.
"The surgeon said he will not play this season so that's a major blow for us."
Brown was also disappointed with his players despite drawing at Ibrox, believing his team could have won and was equally annoyed at the manner of Maurice Edu's equaliser.
He went on: "I was pleased with the performance but, having got into a lead, I was disappointed not to win the game.
"Before the game, coming here with a makeshift team, you would have accepted a point.
"But the way the game panned out, I'm a bit disappointed in all honesty to concede an equaliser the way we did."
| Bet: | Returns: | Rangers £15.00 | Draw £35.00 | Motherwell £60.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Rangers £15.71 | Draw £35.00 | Motherwell £70.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Rangers £14.00 | Draw £43.30 | Motherwell £85.00 |
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Jelavic signed for the Gers back in the summer of 2010, arriving from Austrian side Rapid Wien for a fee understood to be around £4 million and his technical ability, as well as his goalscoring record, have seen him linked with a move away from Ibrox.
The Croation, who has 31 goals in 44 league games for Rangers, was unable to spark any magic in the club's disappointing 1-1 draw with Aberdeen on Saturday, and his manager confirmed the two clubs are in conversation.
Speaking to reporters, McCoist said: "I spoke to Craig [Whyte, the chairman] today and I believe Craig had a conversation with David Sullivan.
"But Craig was very keen to point out that absolutely no offers had been made at all. I think it was just a pretty informal chat they had."
The striker has been linked with a variety of English clubs, including Premier League side Liverpool, but the 49-year-old has denied knowing of any other interest.
He added: "That's news to me, I've certainly not been told. The only team where there has been an indication of interest is West Ham."
Rangers' title rivals Celtic defeated St Mirren 2-0 in the lunch-time game, a result which means Jelavic and Co. are now five points behind following the draw at Ibrox.
McCoist is still adamant that his side can catch Neil Lennon's Bhoys, fully insistent that the current Rangers squad is more than capable of winning the league.
Fe said: "Absolutely. Of that there is no doubt. We've got a squad of players I believe can win the championship."
However, when asked if he would have the same answer if his star striker left, the former Scotland international seemed hesistant and reluctant.
"I'll answer that question if and when it happens and hopefully it won't happen," he said.
"I would hazard a guess and give you the same answer because I'm not going to sit here and tell you we'll not win the title."
The Rangers boss insists he will not panic if Jelavic is sold, but he is looking to stregthen his squad, mainly due to injuries.
He continued: "I'm not any more urgent because it was urgent before. I know what we need and hopefully we can get that sorted.
"Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith are both goalscoring threats and when you take them out of your team you've got a little bit of a problem. We need to replace that."
Craig Brown, the Aberdeen manager, was on the receiving end of some bad news, suggesting Rob Milsom's season may have to end early due to knee surgery.
He said: "He is likely to be out for the season.
"He had a knee operation in London yesterday and the leg was examined and there was more damage than first feared.
"The surgeon said he will not play this season so that's a major blow for us."
Brown was also disappointed with his players despite drawing at Ibrox, believing his team could have won and was equally annoyed at the manner of Maurice Edu's equaliser.
He went on: "I was pleased with the performance but, having got into a lead, I was disappointed not to win the game.
"Before the game, coming here with a makeshift team, you would have accepted a point.
"But the way the game panned out, I'm a bit disappointed in all honesty to concede an equaliser the way we did."
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