Rangers deal for US defender Oguchi Onyewu now unlikely

Mark Warburton is still on the lookout for a centre-back '“ and a striker '“ as it looks almost certain a deal will not be struck for Oguchi Onyewu.

Oguchi Onyewu, who has been on trial with Rangers, played for the US at the 2006 World Cup. Picture: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

The former American national team captain, 34, spent the last ten days with the squad on trial in the United States and played two spells in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Charleston Battery.

Warburton held further discussions with Onyewu last night before flying back to Scotland and it seems unlikely that a deal will now be done. However, a centre-back and a striker remain priorities for Warburton.

He said: “We are looking at that fourth-choice centre-half and we are looking at the striking position as well and if we get these done we will be OK. We might spend money or we might not do. The trick is to get the work done under the radar as [head of recruitment]Frank McParland has been doing.”

Warburton used 19 players in the 2-1 victory over Charleston Battery. Josh Windass and Harry Forrester scored the goals in what was a satisfactory workout.