RANGERS discard Antti Niemi has declared his intention to leave Ibrox to protect his position as first choice for his country, Finland.

After starting the season in the Ibrox side for four games, the 26-year-old keeper lost his place to French internationalist Lionel Charbonnier in mid-August.

The #1.5m capture from Auxerre excelled until the UEFA Cup second round home leg with Bayer Leverkusen, when he was taken off with serious knee ligament damage.

Niemi replaced him that night, and remained until Christmas, when manager Dick Advocaat signed internationalist Stefan Klos.

The German has retained his place since, and yesterday Niemi, whose agent has made clear his player's unhappiness, spoke personally for the first time about his desire to move on. He said in the Rangers News: ''It looks like my future will be away from Ibrox. I will have to consider any offer.

''At the moment I'm not getting enough matches. You can get away with not playing regularly for a while, but, sooner or later, it will show in your game.

''I'm concerned that my form could suffer if I don't get regular first-team action - and that could threaten my Finland place.

''I felt I did okay in matches I have played in this season, but I can understand the manager's decision to choose Stefan.

''He's a very good keeper and a European Cup winner, but I must think about my future, because right now international games are my only chance to show what I can do.''

Ironically, Klos has lost his place in the German team since his switch to Ibrox.

The 27-year-old has been angered by the recently appointed German coach, Erich Ribbeck's apparent refusal to select him for the side, because he has doubts about the standard of play in Scotland.