Darren Cole released by Rangers

RANGERS have terminated the contract of Darren Cole, after the defender had been asked to stay away from the club.

Rangers defender Darren Cole. Picture: SNS

The 21-year-old failed to report for the Garry Lynch Memorial friendly between Junior side Cambuslang Rangers and a Light Blues reserve team on August 11, prompting an angry response from boss Ally McCoist, who told the player to keep his distance from the club’s Murray Park training complex.

At the time, McCoist said that he had asked the player for an explanation, and that his conduct had been ‘totally unacceptable.”

Cole has now been released by the Ibrox club after making just five appearances in three years. He made his debut against Turkish cracks Burspaspor during the Champions League group stages in December 2010, but had to wait a further two years before making another appearance.

He turned out four times for Rangers as they won the Third Division title last season, while his last outing was in a friendly against Elgin City in July

Ally McCoist told the club’s website: “Darren’s contract has been terminated and he goes with our best wishes.”

“It’s a mutually agreeable situation and hopefully he progresses.”

Scott Gallacher seeks loan deal

Meanwhile, the Ibrox club have agreed to let goalkeeper Scott Gallacher embark on another loan deal in a bid for regular first-team football.

The 24-year-old has already spent time with Forfar and Cowdenbeath and despite playing in last night’s match against Berwick Rangers, looks set to leave Ibrox to further his career.

Gallacher found first team opportunities hard to come by last season as he played understudy to Neil Alexander and the arrival of Cammy Bell suggests the keeper - who has only made a handful of first-team appearances for the Scottish League One side in seven years - may be looking for another loan deal