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http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2404238.0.0.phpWalter eyes Finnish ace in bid to beat Euro deadline
by Darrell King
RANGERS are again eyeing PSV Eindhoven midfielder Mika Vayrynen as they search for much- needed midfield reinforcements.
The 26 year-old Finnish internationalist - who can operate in the middle or left side - was looked at by boss Walter Smith a year ago.
But no moves were made as he still had two years of his contract to run in Holland and PSV were looking for a hefty fee.
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Vayrynen then almost moved to Derby County a year ago, but the move broke down when he picked up a calf injury just before his medical.
Now into the final year of his deal with the Dutch champions, and with a much lower price tag, the midfielder almost moved to Club Brugge last month but could not agree terms.
He is currently with PSV and played at the weekend as they began their pre-season warm-up matches but, after featuring just once last term in the first team, he knows there is no future under coach Huub Stevens.
Rangers scouted Vayrynen last term and watched him in international action for Finland, and the powerful six-footer could be an option now as Smith attempts to cover for the loss of injured skipper Barry Ferguson.
The Rangers manager knows he needs to bolster his ranks, and admitted after the 1-0 weekend defeat to Schalke that he would be stepping up efforts this week, ahead of the Champions League signing deadline on Thursday night.
Central defence is also an area that needs covered, and assistant boss Ally McCoist is set to travel to the Algarve this week to watch Glenn Loovens in action for Cardiff City, possibly against Celtic on Thursday.
Loovens wants to join Rangers and has again told the Welsh side he has no intention of extending his contract which has less than a year to run. But Cardiff want in excess of £2.5million for the 25-year-old and that has so far stopped any kind of deal progressing.
Despite claiming he wants to return to Rangers, there is no interest in former winger Peter Lovenkrands at this moment in time. The Dane's agent, Ivan Benes, is believed to have contacted Smith about the prospect of a return from Schalke, but the matter has gone no further so far.
The Rangers squad returned to Murray Park today, coming back from Germany on Saturday.
Smith expected Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar to return to training and, while he is unlikely to feature against Clyde tomorrow night as he recovers from a calf strain, he will play against Raith Rovers on Saturday.
However, keeper Allan McGregor is expected to play some part of the match at Broadwood as he looks for action ahead of the Champions League qualifier against Kaunas in nine days' time.
Publication date 21/07/08