Rangers make approach for Dundee United’s Scott Allan

The Ibrox club aim to speak to the 20-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, but they may have to do business with Dundee United first.

United are believed to have accepted a bid from West Brom, reportedly around £400,0000, for the Scotland Under-21 international, who has refused the offer of a new Tannadice contract.

Allan has only made seven first-team appearances for United after his progress was stalled by injuries and latterly manager Peter Houston’s reluctance to play him given his desire to move on.

But the creative midfielder has shone in outings for Scotland Under-21s and Celtic manager Neil Lennon has also expressed his admiration for the player.

Rangers have still not had their annual financial accounts signed off and their dispute with the tax authorities has created a great deal of financial uncertainty ahead of the January transfer window.

But McCoist believes Rangers have a chance of signing Allan in January, despite competition from the Barclays Premier League.

McCoist said: “We have spoken to Dundee United to let them know our intentions to speak to young Scott and his representatives.

“He is obviously still a Dundee United player but I would have to say he is a very, very good player.

“In terms of young talent in the country, he is up there with anything really.

“You have to say, not just teams at the bottom end of the English Premier, but teams in the Championship are more than capable of outbidding and offering higher wages. That’s just a fact of life.”

But he added: “I think we would perhaps be in a position to go to Dundee United and see where we are, but time will tell.”

Rangers chairman Craig Whyte has put off the club’s AGM as he seeks to ensure the accounts are signed off, but McCoist is expecting transfer business next month.

“We, like every other team if the opportunity comes to strengthen, we would like to do that,” he said.

“Nothing has been set in stone but I would expect movement in the window, like most clubs.

“January is a big time of the year in terms of personnel coming and going and I think we would be the exact same.

“I haven’t been told people have to go before we get anybody in, that’s not the case.”