McGregor upbeat over transfer deals at Rangers

ALLAN McGregor believes Rangers’ transfer window business has vindicated his decision to commit his long-term future to the club.

The goalkeeper has expressed his satisfaction with the quality of new signings made by the Scottish champions and their resistance to the possible sales of Nikica Jelavic and Steven Davis. McGregor dismissed suggestions that the frustration Rangers experienced in their pursuit of other major signing targets had prompted him to regret signing a new six-year contract in the summer.

“When I agreed the contract, I had faith that Rangers would sign new players and keep those who had done well before,” said McGregor. “That has happened. We have missed out on two or three names that it was said we wanted but that is just the way it is now.

“It is getting harder for Rangers. You look at clubs in the Championship down south and they are buying players for £4 million, £5 million or even £6 million. That’s not going to happen up here for the foreseeable future.

“But the players Rangers have brought in have looked good and done well in some of the games we’ve played so far. It will take them time to settle in but the standard of the signings is good and they will help us in the long run.

“I was away with Scotland last week when the transfer window shut and I was happy to hear Rangers had not sold anyone. There was interest in Nikica Jelavic and Steven Davis and it’s good news for the club they are both staying. They are two top quality players and we needed them to stay.” McGregor, speaking as he helped promote ESPN’s live coverage of Saturday’s SPL match between Dundee United and Rangers at Tannadice, defended the early season form of Jelavic which has yet to reach the heights displayed by the Croatian international striker during the final months of last campaign.

“I work with him every day and don’t see anything wrong,” insisted McGregor. “He is working hard, getting chances and making things happen for other people.

“He has maybe not scored at the rate he did at the end of last season so far, but he is getting into the positions to do so and it will come.”

Meanwhile, Rangers manager Ally McCoist is hopeful Kyle Bartley will be back in action in four weeks.

The on-loan Arsenal defender underwent a successful hernia operation yesterday after being forced out of last month’s 2-0 win at Inverness on his second competitive debut.

Director of football Gordon Smith feared the centre-half would be sidelined for six weeks but McCoist is slightly more optimistic about the centre-half’s recovery.

However, news of his lay-off is a setback for the Scottish champions as they prepare to face Celtic in the opening Old Firm derby of the season on 18 September.

McCoist told www.rangers.co.uk: “It’s a big disappointment for Kyle himself that he’s out for a bit longer but I had a good chat with him last night after his operation and he’s upbeat.

“I’d hope we’d have him back in around four weeks or so but we’ll take as long as he needs to make sure he is fit again.”