Rangers refuse to give up on David Goodwillie as Blackburn deal hits a snag

Manager Ally McCoist secured his first competitive win as Rangers manager but admitted that the club still needs to go on a major shopping spree before the transfer window closes.

McCoist was buoyed by news yesterday afternoon that Dundee United's deal to sell Goodwillie to Blackburn Rovers, reportedly for 2.8m including add-ons, appeared to have hit a snag, leaving him hopeful that Rangers could still step in and secure him his preferred strike partner for Nikica Jelavic.

Tannadice chairman Stephen Thompson agreed a deal with the English Premier League side on Friday for his star asset, after rejecting offers from Rangers and Blackpool in the past week. Goodwillie was expected to head south over the weekend to sign at Ewood Park but the 22-year-old and his representatives have not yet signed off his time at United. It's understood they are in discussions over contractual matters which have to be resolved with United before he can speak to Blackburn.

Thompson was last night in talks with Goodwillie, who has indicated a desire to head south, and his agent is confident of resolving the issues to seal the transfer. Rangers hoped to capitalise on the snag but the United chairman rejected the Ibrox side's latest bid.

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Speaking after the win over St Johnstone, McCoist said: "I don't think he is a Blackburn player and we have made no secret of the fact that if we had an opportunity to bring David Goodwillie to Ibrox then I would like to take that"

But the Scotland international is not the only one still being targeted. Despite an initial bid of around 1.3m being knocked back by Den Haag for winger Wesley Verhoek, the Dutch player is still keen to see a deal done and that encouraged McCoist who said there was a possibility of an increased offer, with around 2m being demanded.

"That's something I wouldn't rule out. He is obviously a player we have watched and we like. The first bid went in eight or nine days ago and there is still a possibility that could happen."