Ally McCoist yesterday defended his summer recruitment drive, denying accusations that he is not building for the future.
The Rangers manager has brought experienced strikers Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller back to the Ibrox club ahead of the start of the 2014/15 campaign. However, many fans have been unhappy at the age of the players he has signed to help their bid to escape the SPFL Championship.
Boyd will turn 31 next month while his former strike partner Miller is now 34 and approaching the end of his distinguished playing career. McCoist, though, has stressed the financial situation at the club has restricted who he has been able to bring in during the close season.
"I am really delighted with the signings so far," he said. "I can understand people being sceptical with players coming back and their ages. But at the same time, and I've stated this on numerous occasions, we are not in a position to plan longer term. We're just not in a position to do it.
"Finances are dictating that the job is to get out of the division until the time we can again spend money and bring players in."
McCoist is hopeful both Boyd and Miller, who formed a lethal front line in their previous spell at Rangers, would help his side pip Hearts and Hibs to the second tier title.
"I looked at the situation up front. A year ago Kenny was scoring at Wembley for Scotland and Kris was unbelievable at Kilmarnock last year," he said. "I've spoken to the two guys at length and I was really impressed with their desire to come back and be part of our journey."
Marius Zaliukas, the former Hearts centre-half, joined up with the Rangers squad in Brora in the far north of Scotland last night and will train with them in the coming days. McCoist attempted to sign the 30-year-old Lithuanian defender, who is a free agent after leaving Leeds United, last summer and admitted he was an admirer. And he revealed he still has money to spent and would like to bring in another defender and midfielder before the new season kicks off next month.
"I definitely think that we've strengthened," he said. "I don't think there's any doubt about that. I'm still looking. There's still a bit of budget to play with. But we had to strengthen and we need to continue strengthening. I'll certainly be looking to do that. Big Marius has come up to train with us for a couple of days. Ismael Bouzid is training back down the road. We'll have a look at Marius and he'll have a look at us.
"These are players we are keen to look at. In an ideal world we'll get a defender in. But I'm looking everywhere. I'm looking for another midfield player within my budget. It's our job to strengthen as much as we possibly can and we'll do that.
"We watched a good few Leeds games last year and spoke with Brian McDermott the other night. I've always liked Zaliukas as a centre back so we'll have a look. If we can bring him in then great but there's a lot of water to go under the bridge before that. We haven't even spoken contracts or money."
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