Lee Wallace urges Rangers to snap up Zaliukas

Marius Zaliukas played as a trialist for Rangers in their 1-1 draw with Brora on Sunday. Picture: SNS

Talks between the Ibrox club and the cultured Lithuanian centre-back are in progress and ex-Hearts team-mate Wallace is waiting and watching intently.

The Scotland full-back starred alongside Zaliukas for five seasons at Hearts up until his own 2011 switch to Rangers. Last year, hopes of a reunion were dashed when Zaliukas opted for a deal at Leeds United, but his Elland Road contract was terminated by mutual consent this June.

Having joined McCoist’s squad on trial, Zaliukas featured alongside Wallace in Sunday’s 1-1 friendly draw with Highland League champions Brora Rangers. If there is any hesitancy at all in McCoist’s mind over the Lithuanian’s worth, Wallace makes a convincing advocate in his past team-mates’ favour. “Marius had a spell training with us last year and obviously chose to go elsewhere, but he has been back with us the last few days and it was good to see him again,” Wallace said of the 30-year-old from Kaunas. “We don’t know what will happen over the next two or three weeks, but, if he signs, he has great attributes for a centre-half. I’ve known that for a long time.

“Actually, in his first game for Hearts, if I remember correctly, he played centre midfield. That shows his capabilities. He has all the attributes – he’s quick and dominant in both boxes, great in the air. He’s fit and sharp and he’s a bubbly character to have in the dressing room.

“It has been good seeing him these last few days and, hopefully, he can sort something out in the next few weeks.”

As for the pair’s past together, Wallace stressed Rangers would benefit from a keen understanding. “It’s actually scary how you don’t lose that telepathy you’ve developed with each other,” the 26-year-old stressed. “We had that at Hearts for a wee while. He would always play left centre-back with myself at left-back.”