Ally McCoist keen to lure prolific scorer Javi Guerra to Rangers

McCoist confirmed reports he had been watching the 29-year-old, who has scored 37 goals in 60 games for his club during the past two seasons, but he was coy over the likelihood of a January move for the player.

McCoist told Rangers TV: “I don’t like discussing other team’s players but he’s very good. We’ve been watching a lot of games.

“Valladolid are going well in the second tier in Spanish football just now and he has been battering in all sorts of goals.

“He is someone else’s player and it wouldn’t be fair of me to say much more than that, but he is a top player.”

Asked if he would be interested in signing the forward if he became available, McCoist said: “Quite possibly. He is a very good player and, if the opportunity arose, yes.”

McCoist is keen to sign a striker after losing Kyle Lafferty to injury until the end of February, which followed a long-term injury to Steven Naismith.

Top goalscorer Nikica Jelavic’s future has also been the subject of constant speculation.

If Jelavic were to be sold this month, McCoist would be expected to request some of the proceeds to fund a replacement – such as Guerra, who is rated as a £2million player.

Rangers also confirmed yesterday that full-back Steven Whittaker has undergone a hernia operation and will be out for at least six weeks.

The full-back travelled south of the Border with club doctor Paul Jackson for a consultation yesterday morning after suffering from groin problems recently.

It was determined that he would need surgery and went under the knife immediately and is now out for all of this month and most of February.

Whittaker, whose last appearance was on Christmas Eve against St Mirren, will miss Clydesdale Bank Premier League games against St Johnstone, Aberdeen, Hibernian, Dunfermline, Kilmarnock and probably Inverness as well.

Likewise, the Scotland international miss the home William Hill Scottish Cup clash with Dundee United at Ibrox on Saturday, 5 February .

Whittaker could yet be fit in time for Scotland’s away friendly with Slovenia on 29 February but it is unlikely he will be risked which means a realistic comeback date could be on Saturday 3 March, when Rangers entertain Hearts at Ibrox.

Replacement full-back Kirk Broadfoot has also been struggling with a knee problem and he was having a scan on that last night as he looks to step up his recovery.

Meanwhile, Andy Little played his first match in 11 weeks yesterday when he took part in a bounce match against Kilmarnock at Murray Park. The 22-year-old put recent injury problems behind him to play up front with Alejandro Bedoya, lasting for 70 minutes.

The Rangers team, featuring several first-team fringe players, won 4-1 with a double from Lee McCulloch and goals from Bedoya and Matt McKay. Former Hibs and Celtic player Derek Riordan turned out for the visitors.