Walter Smith not willing to sell Allan McGregor as speculation on keeper resurfaces

He has been in fine form for both club and country this season and impressed again, despite conceding three times, as Rangers suffered their first Champions League defeat of the campaign in Valencia in midweek.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move to Old Trafford already this term and reports have resurfaced that Sir Alex Ferguson could be set to make a swoop, 24 hours after Rangers secured back-up goalkeeper Neil Alexander on a new deal.

But Smith claims he has no intention of losing any of his players. He said: "We are delighted to have two good goalkeepers. But because we have re-signed one of them, I don't think that should indicate that there is any speculation surrounding the other. If we were to lose any other players, we would end up with none. We've got a decent group of players and we've got a small group of players, as we keep saying.

"You talk about putting them in the shop window or players leaving but we can't afford to let any players leave. We just have to keep going. The lads that we've got have started the season extremely well and hopefully that will continue."

McGregor is not the only Rangers player to have impressed in recent months. Steven Naismith has also earned plaudits for his performances both domestically and on the European stage, as well as with the Scotland national team.

But Smith is not interested in speculation linking Naismith, or anyone else, with a move away from Ibrox until formal bids arrive. He said: "Speculation is what it is. Maybe it suits the media but it's not actually what's happening. Never mind Steven Naismith, a few weeks ago it was Allan McGregor, and some other week it will be someone else.

"That doesn't necessarily mean there is any truth in it or there is anybody interested in taking the players. We need to keep all our players and that's the only thing we can focus on."

Alexander penned a new deal that keeps him at Rangers until 2013, even though he acknowledges he is likely to continue as second choice while McGregor remains with the Scottish champions. "We are delighted that he has signed the new contract," said Smith.

"He is a good lad. It's not always been the easiest situation for him here but I must say that his professionalism has been exemplary.

Rangers travel to St Mirren tomorrow hoping to return to winning ways after drawing with Inverness last weekend and losing to Valencia on Tuesday night. Smith said: "We had a lot of tough games in the early part of the season and we had late goals in a few of the games to win them so we don't need any reminding about how tough it is. It's always difficult. We know we've got to do exceptionally well to win our matches. That's what we will try to do on Sunday."