McGregor ‘in talks’ over transfer to Besiktas

Published on 11/07/2012 09:57

ALLAN McGregor is on the verge of joining Turkish side Besiktas.

The Scotland goalkeeper, 30, is one of several Ibrox players who have, following advice from PFA Scotland, rejected the chance to transfer their contracts from Rangers to Charles Green’s newco. Steven Naismith has moved to Everton, Steven Whittaker has signed for Norwich and Jamie Ness has joined Stoke.

Northern Ireland duo Steve Davis and Kyle Lafferty are at Southampton and Swiss side Sion respectively, and McGregor could be next to leave Govan, with the Besiktas website stating that the club “began talks with goalkeeper Allan McGregor”.

Despite Lafferty making his debut for Sion in a 1-1 friendly draw against Marseille on Sunday, none of the five players who have found new clubs have received international clearance as Rangers newco continue to dispute the players’ status. Green rejects the claim that the players are free agents and the former Sheffield United chief executive sent letters to clubs across the UK warning them that the players who objected to the switch to the newco were in breach of contract.

Meanwhile, Dorin Goian will return to Rangers this weekend and claims he’s “99 per cent certain” to see out the remaining two years of his contract. The Romanian stopper has been training at his old club in Romania, Sporting Suceava, before he heads back to Glasgow on Friday and has consistently stated he wants to remain with the Ibrox club, even if they are dumped down to the Third Division in this week’s SFL vote.

He has insisted he won’t follow the paths of the Rangers players who have walked out on the club. He said: “I will return to Scotland to clarify the situation with the club. I am 99 per cent certain to go back and play for Rangers again. Rangers are too big a name in world football and they can not just disappear overnight. I adapted very well there, I feel very appreciated and I want to see out the two years left of my contract.”