Rangers could turn to Philippe Senderos as Lescott deal fails

Rangers manager Mark Warburton could turn to Philippe Senderos in his search for a fourth centre-back after '¨Joleon Lescott's Ibrox move fell through.
Ex-Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos has been training with Rangers. Picture: Alan Harvey/SNSEx-Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos has been training with Rangers. Picture: Alan Harvey/SNS
Ex-Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos has been training with Rangers. Picture: Alan Harvey/SNS

Warburton had expressed optimism on Thursday over the chance of signing Lescott, and the Aston Villa defender subsequently visited Glasgow. But the move collapsed yesterday, with Rangers 
citing family reasons as the reason Lescott will not be signing for the club.

Villa owner Tony Xia had confirmed his club would pay a portion of Lescott’s wages on the final year of his contract, but Sunderland have also been linked with the 34-year-old.

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Roberto Di Matteo was asked about the matter yesterday and the Villa manager said: “He passed a medical and everything. They didn’t agree personal terms so the move has fallen through and he is back with us now.”

Rangers are still on course to sign Preston striker Joe Garner in a £1.5 million deal, but it is unlikely to be completed before today’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Motherwell at Ibrox.

And they have another option to complete their summer transfer business in Senderos. The 31-year-old former Arsenal defender is a free agent and has been training with the club this week.

Warburton spoke of the former Fulham and Villa player, who had a short spell with Grasshoppers earlier this year, as a serious option on Thursday.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Philippe Senderos,” Warburton said. “He hadn’t been training with a team for a few weeks but his level of fitness is outstanding. His CV is well documented but his level of fitness and the way he has fitted into the group has been first class. He has dealt with training all week effortlessly.

“We have to look at a number of options and I’ve been very, very impressed by Philippe. Obviously he won’t be involved at the weekend. He is going back to Geneva for a couple of days, but we are very pleased with what we have seen.

“But, again, we have to make sure we look at all our options and treat people the right way as well. Players want honest feedback and we will always do that to the players. That leaves us in good stead if we do it that way.”

Whoever comes in to bolster the defence, centre-back Danny Wilson has vowed to keep his place while learning from their experience.

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The former Liverpool and Hearts player made 42 appearances last season but he and Rob Kiernan already have added competition from Clint Hill.

“You try and learn from every player, whether they be young or old, in your position or in a different position, you try and take something from every player you can,” explained Wilson.

“I don’t think I’d be doing my job if I wasn’t trying to learn from experienced players who are coming in. They have obviously played at a high level throughout their career.

“Any little bit you can take from them is important because I am still relatively young in terms of being a defender, I am only 24.

“If these players come in then I will welcome them. I certainly won’t stand aside and just let them take my position, but out there on the training ground I will work as hard as I can, learn from them, and hopefully do enough to get myself in the team on a Saturday.”

This will be Motherwell’s second match against Rangers already this season following their 2-0 Betfred Cup loss at Fir Park. But midfielder Chris Cadden said yesterday that he is taking encouragement from Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton’s opening-day 1-1 draw at Ibrox.

“You’ve got to look at that because I would probably say we have better individuals than Accies, so I reckon if they can go there and get a result then we can definitely get something,” said Cadden.