Gijon sign up Nacho Novo after Rangers exit

STRIKER Nacho Novo is to leave Rangers and return to Spain with Sporting Gijon.

The 31-year-old, who scored Rangers' winner in last year's Scottish Cup final against Falkirk as well as the goal which clinched the 2005 Scottish Premier League title, was out of contract at Ibrox and will now pursue first-team football in his homeland.

Novo scored nine times last season despite being limited largely to substitute appearances, starting just 14 SPL games.

He notched 72 times in 253 appearances – almost half of which came from the bench – during his time in Glasgow.

He has signed a two-year deal with Sporting, who finished 15th in the Primera Division this season.

Novo becomes the third senior player to leave Ibrox this summer, following DaMarcus Beasley and Steven Smith.

Meanwhile, Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra is sweating over his fitness ahead of the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer.

The centre-half has been hampered by injury problems throughout the season and failed to take part in the Scottish champions' final four games.

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane now wants Bougherra to rest for up to 10 days to ensure he is at peak fitness as they prepare to face England, the United States and Slovenia.