Rangers snub plea by Watford striker Shittu to restart talks

Negotiations broke down on Sunday after Rangers baulked at his £20,000-per-week demands, having been prepared to pay Shittu closer to £15,000 per week.

Ibrox boss Walter Smith then turned his attention to other targets — Cardiff City’s Glenn Loovens chief among them — and it is understood the club now has no interest in reopening discussions with Shittu after his desperate plea.

Heading nowhere: Rangers have pulled out of a move for Watford's Dan Shittu

The Ibrox men recorded a 3-1 win over Fourth Division Sportfreunde Lotte in the second match of their German tour last night, with assistant manager Ally McCoist admitting afterwards that the club were seeking to strengthen defence and midfield before their Champions League qualifier, probably with FBK Kaunas, on July 30.

‘It would be nice to strengthen,’ said McCoist. ‘We have Barry Ferguson’s injury to deal with and it’s always an ideal situation to bring in some new faces.

'We are looking at a few players. I don’t want to name names because I feel that is unfair to players at other clubs.

‘But we’re no different from anyone else — if the opportunity comes to freshen up then we’ll certainly do that. Midfield is one area we’d like to strengthen and defence is the same. We’re looking to strengthen all over.’

Andy Webster made his first Rangers appearance in 10 months against Sportfreunde
but the injury-jinxed centre back was responsible for the first-half goal conceded.

A double from Kris Boyd and one from teenager John Fleck rescued Smith’s side in
the final 20 minutes.

‘Andy needs games now more than anything,’ added McCoist. ‘I’m not going to crucify him for making a mistake like the one with the goal because he needs matches. He
can do all the training but that is not the same.

‘He’s had a shocking time with injuries. They have been long-term and he has been in
the same boat as Steven Smith.

‘Let’s be honest, as a team we were poor in the first half. It’s true to say it’s early and
we need games but I was still disappointed. We looked far better after the break and
the quality of the goals was very good. We were far more comfortable and confident.’

McCoist travelled to Andorra with Ian Durrant on Tuesday night to see Kaunas rack up a 4-1 away-leg advantage against Santa Coloma.

He believes the Lithuanians will provide stern opposition at the start of what Rangers
hope will be another profitable European run.

‘Kaunas were comfortable the other night against the Andorrans and deserved to win 4-1,’ said McCoist. ‘They were far too strong. They have got some good players and the boy Rafael Ledesma has a nice left foot to deliver set-pieces. They have a lot of height in defence and midfield, so that obviously makes them a threat.

‘They will undoubtedly provide stiff opposition. I saw both of their matches last season when they lost to Zeta, who came through to play us. I felt they should have won that
tie and that they were a better team than Zeta. 

‘Zeta was no walkover, so Kaunas will be really tough. We have to be off and running
straight away.’