Rangers linked with various players...

[fraser77 0]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267615/Rangers-boss-Walter-Smith-chasing-United-starlet-David-Goodwillie.html?ITO=1490

Rangers boss Walter Smith chasing United starlet David Goodwillie

By Peter Jardine Last updated at 12:16 AM on 21st April 2010

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Rangers have put Dundee United striker David Goodwillie on their transfer radar - in the hope a £15million automatic place in the Champions League will end their spending freeze.

Manager Walter Smith has been unable to sign a player on a permanent basis for two years while the club remains in heavy debt and takeover limbo, with French loan recruit Jerome Rothen the sole arrival.

walter smith

Winning smiles: Walter Smith and David Goodwillie

With forwards Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo among six potential Bosman departures, however, the Ibrox management are duty-bound to carry on scouting fresh talent.

And Sportsmail understands that Clydesdale Bank Young Player of the Season Goodwillie has caught the eye, along with Tannadice team-mate Craig Conway.

Goodwillie, who has scored 12 goals for United in a breakthrough campaign, is under contract until 2012, while Conway's deal runs until 2011, so both would command a fee if Rangers made a move.

Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan has also been tracking wide midfielder Conway, who was capped for Scotland in Japan when George Burley was manager. Boro scout Gordon McQueen watched the 24-year-old score in last Sunday's 3-2 win over Motherwell at Fir Park.

Goodwillie, 21, picked up his Clydesdale Bank award on Monday evening and has also been shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award.

Rangers boss Smith spoke earlier this week about how the Ibrox club are keeping tabs on a number of players as they plan for the future.

However, it remains unclear what level of player Rangers might be able to buy if the club is sold - or owner Sir David Murray remains in situ.

'We do still watch transfer targets,' said Smith, who was named Manager of the Season on the night Goodwillie picked up his award. 'Our scouting budget was cut quite dramatically but you do keep looking.

'The difficulty is you do not know what market you are working in.

'I retain an interest and we have been active in that department.

'We put the knowledge together hoping that, one day, it will be useful. It is hard because we don't know what level we might be able to bring someone in from.

'That is one of the main problems we have at Rangers at the moment in terms of forward planning. I can sit down and put together a pre-season schedule but I can't plan for buying someone if I don't know if the finance is there for it.'

would love us to have the funds for thoose 2

[Cappa 24]

Conway should be the main priority out of the two.

[PaulRFC1 115]

I would take both of them , Goodwillie has had a great season and Conway always causes us problems on the left and we need a wide midfielder.

[RangersJamie52 0]

I reckon Goodwillie would flourish with good players around him. As with Conway actually. Hope this happens.

[bluenose_72 198]

Conway would be a great addition. Could see Dundee Utd demanding a silly fee though.

[Gaz52 11,837]

I like Conway, his goal against Motherwell was a very good goal

[David1872 21]

Would take both of them.

Where does it actually say we are after them though?

[bluenose_72 198]

Would take both of them.

Where does it actually say we are after them though?

Rangers have put Dundee United striker David Goodwillie on their transfer radar - in the hope a £15million automatic place in the Champions League will end their spending freeze.

Manager Walter Smith has been unable to sign a player on a permanent basis for two years while the club remains in heavy debt and takeover limbo, with French loan recruit Jerome Rothen the sole arrival.

walter smith

Winning smiles: Walter Smith and David Goodwillie

With forwards Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo among six potential Bosman departures, however, the Ibrox management are duty-bound to carry on scouting fresh talent.

And Sportsmail understands that Clydesdale Bank Young Player of the Season Goodwillie has caught the eye, along with Tannadice team-mate Craig Conway.

[SammyEnglish 48]

Would be 2 good additions to the squad. Conway could do a job at left midfield, that position has been a problem for a while.

[cooper1989 0]

Would take both of them.

Where does it actually say we are after them though?

Suppose this is it mate..

Rangers have put Dundee United striker David Goodwillie on their transfer radar - in the hope a £15million automatic place in the Champions League will end their spending freeze.

Not exactly serious.. but anyway, as Walter says.. he's always looking and the 'level' it seems is Dundee UTD? Nothing against Goodwillie btw.. Think he's a quality player. But.. as always, can he play for The Rangers - as Mr. Struth said.

[bluenose_72 198]

I wonder if we were to go after both players, if Utd would want Webster included in any deal...?

[David1872 21]

I meant a quote or something. Anyway hopefully its true there both good players.

[Jamie1807 146]

I'd like both players at Ibrox next season.

[Guest SandyIniesta-Nordahl]

It's exciting being linked with new players

Conway always gives us problems, but how consistent is he?

Goodwillie has a lot of potential and he is a player I would like to have.

[sonOwilliam 0]

Would take both of them.

Where does it actually say we are after them though?

Suppose this is it mate..

Rangers have put Dundee United striker David Goodwillie on their transfer radar - in the hope a £15million automatic place in the Champions League will end their spending freeze.

Not exactly serious.. but anyway, as Walter says.. he's always looking and the 'level' it seems is Dundee UTD? Nothing against Goodwillie btw.. Think he's a quality player. But.. as always, can he play for The Rangers - as Mr. Struth said.

Agreed

We don't want to be going to the Champions League just to make up numbers, none of these 2 have had any experience in that so i'd say no, theres bound to be better bargains.

[GersDude90 1]

Conways deliver is frightenly good. I think he'd really flourish in our team.

I also really think that Smith would get the best out of Goodwillie.

They may command a wee bit of money but I'd be pretty happy if we got them.

[bluenose_72 198]

I'd be very surprised if we could pick up players for cheap who have a decent amount of CL experience.

We have to think of the SPL which is our bread and butter. Goodwillie and Conway are 2 good SPL players who could be good additions to our squad. Conway especially since he is a wide player and we are in desperate need of one of those.

[TexasGers 96]

Good to see.

We definitely need wingers, and if Boyd and/or Lafferty goes we'll need a forward as well.

[sonOwilliam 0]

I'd be very surprised if we could pick up players for cheap who have a decent amount of CL experience.

We have to think of the SPL which is our bread and butter. Goodwillie and Conway are 2 good SPL players who could be good additions to our squad. Conway especially since he is a wide player and we are in desperate need of one of those.

I always say you need to have some sort of ambition but if this is what the plan is with Ally and Walter to just win the SPL i can't object i just don't want to be embarrassed in Europe.

But i suppose we should be happy if we where to sign anybody.

[bluenose_72 198]

I'd be very surprised if we could pick up players for cheap who have a decent amount of CL experience.

We have to think of the SPL which is our bread and butter. Goodwillie and Conway are 2 good SPL players who could be good additions to our squad. Conway especially since he is a wide player and we are in desperate need of one of those.

I always say you need to have some sort of ambition but if this is what the plan is with Ally and Walter to just win the SPL i can't object i just don't want to be embarrassed in Europe.

But i suppose we should be happy if we where to sign anybody.

We need to win the SPL to get into the Champions League though.

[EuanC 0]

Conway is so one-footed it's unreal.

[Guest SandyIniesta-Nordahl]

Conway is so one-footed it's unreal.

So are most young Scottish players who are coming through.

[hutchy14 4]

It also helps when its players who have played together before and have a good general knowledge of each other. Espically a winger and a striker as the winger will be providing the assist he and the frontman should have a good understanding.

[TexasGers 96]

Is Goodwillie an out and out striker or more of an attacking midfielder?

[sonOwilliam 0]

I'd be very surprised if we could pick up players for cheap who have a decent amount of CL experience.

We have to think of the SPL which is our bread and butter. Goodwillie and Conway are 2 good SPL players who could be good additions to our squad. Conway especially since he is a wide player and we are in desperate need of one of those.

I always say you need to have some sort of ambition but if this is what the plan is with Ally and Walter to just win the SPL i can't object i just don't want to be embarrassed in Europe.

But i suppose we should be happy if we where to sign anybody.

We need to win the SPL to get into the Champions League though.

I don't deny that just wish we had more cash so we could put in a fight for both SPL and CL, maybe if we got a new owner.