Ally McCoist eyeing Lee Wallace as Rangers prepare to open chequebook

Published on Saturday 14 May 2011 17:01

NEW Rangers manager Ally McCoist's first target for a big-money summer transfer bid is likely to be Hearts defender Lee Wallace.

Even before he takes over the reins at Ibrox, McCoist has been looking at replacements for Sasa Papac, the Bosnian international who turned down the offer of a contract during the January transfer window and is a free agent after today's match with Kilmarnock.

Papac has already been linked with possible moves to Birmingham City and Dinamo Zagreb and McCoist believes the 23-year-old Wallace, who is currently out with an ankle injury, is the ideal man to slot in at left back.

Wallace, who has been capped five times, has 12 months left on his deal at Tynecastle so Hearts face a dilemma because he will greatly diminish in market value if he does not sign a new contract or move on this summer, and he would be a free agent this time next year.

Rangers would need the formal approval of Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas to speak to Wallace, but he would merely be rubber-stamping the agreement of owner Vladimir Romanov to allow a deal to proceed.

It may be that, with Hearts having just announced a small profit, Romanov will feel able to keep a player recognised as a prime asset for the Tynecastle club at least until the next transfer window in January.

Should he decide to cash in on Wallace now, Romanov would undoubtedly drive a hard bargain, not least because it is one of the Old Firm who are buying.

It is well-known that McCoist plans to sign Dundee United's Craig Conway on a free transfer, but he hopes to persuade new owner Craig Whyte to stump up the likely seven figure sum that Wallace will cost.

Hearts are anxious to secure deals with several players who are out of contract or whose contracts must be extended after today's final match against Dundee United.

Janos Balogh, Ismael Bouzid, Ruben Palazuelos and Rudi Skacel are all in this category and manager Jim Jefferies said yesterday the club would be talking to their agents this week.

Jefferies also spoke to Fedotovas during the week regarding his own signing targets.

"He deals with agents of players out of contract," said Jefferies. "Any targets we've got, he has that information. Everything was put on hold until we finished third, so it's a case of trying to get to these players before other clubs. The targets we have will have options to go elsewhere."