TWO of Rangers' beaten Scottish Cup finalists yesterday received mixed news about their next move now that they are about to leave Ibrox.
Andy Goram's hopes of a dream move to Italy look dead after Brescia were relegated from Serie A, while his team-mate Stuart McCall could be heading south to join up with Barnsley.
The Rangers keeper had been lined up for a move to the Italians as his Rangers career comes to an end. However, the deal was dependent on Brescia remaining in the top flight and they failed to do that at the weekend. Brescia won 4-1 at Parma, but other results went against them and they were relegated by a single point.
However, club president Luigi Corioni admitted that looks certain to scupper any move for Scotland internationalist Goram when he admitted: ''We are in no position whatsoever to buy any new players.'' Now Goram looks likely to head for England, where Crystal Palace and Sunderland are both interested.
Meanwhile, McCall could also be joining the Ibrox exodus with a move down south to relegated Barnsley.
The midfielder, who will be 34 next month, played in the cup final defeat from Hearts on Saturday, and that could be his last game for the club if the English side can persuade him to sign.
Oakwell manager Danny Wilson is looking to boost his squad with experienced players to get back into the Premiership. McCall, born in nearby Leeds, is one of his top targets after watching him in action.
However, McCall still has a year left on his Ibrox contract and has been told he can stay by new manager Dick Advocaat. However, he is unlikely to be a first-choice regular and does not want to round off his career on the bench.
Rangers could allow McCall to leave on a free transfer as a reward for his service and the possibility of a coaching post at Barnsley could swing the deal.
Richard Gough, Ally McCoist, Brian Laudrup, and Alex Cleland are also heading out of Ibrox as Advocaat revamps the entire set-up.
qStirling Albion have appointed former Motherwell defender John Philliben as their player-coach.
Philliben was among 17 released last week by Motherwell, but will return to Fir Park for one final time for his close-season testimonial against West Ham.
As the player set out for a holiday in Spain yesterday he said: ''I am delighted to be going back to my first senior club and at the opportunity to move into coaching.''
Stirling will not run a reserve side next season and 10 players have been released, including first-team squad men Garry Paterson, John Gibson, Tod Lumsden, Landry Zahana-Oni, Arnie Nilsson, Gary Carberry, Kevin Bain, Stuart McLaren, David Lorimer and keeper Jim Chalmers.
Yesterday's football
Youth League
Celtic 1, Dundee United 2.
FA Umbro Trophy
Cheltenham 1, Stockport 0
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