Rangers release Kevin Kyle by mutual consent

• Kevin Kyle released by Rangers by “mutual consent”

• Former Sunderland and Hearts player scored three times in 13 appearances

The injury-plagued forward signed for Rangers last summer on a one-year contract, and scored three goals in 13 appearances.

However, the former Sunderland and Hearts player saw injuries interrupt his season once again, and McCoist confirmed the 31-year-old had played his last game for the Ibrox outfit.

“Kevin has left the club by mutual consent and his contract has been terminated.

“He goes with our best wishes for the future. He obviously got an injury at a very bad time for him and the club as he was just getting back in the team and scoring one or two goals.

“He’ll certainly be fit for the start of next season at a new club. I sat down with Kevin and told him that next season the club would be going in a different direction and we thanked him and wished him well.

“He was absolutely fine. The big fella has been in the game for long enough to understand and he’s a great lad.

“I’ve got no doubt Kevin Kyle will be playing football somewhere next season and scoring goals.”