Rangers open contracts talks with Sasasasasa Papac!

[Gazza_8 233]

BBC.

 

Rangers have opened talks with Sasa Papac following fears that the Bosnian defender was set to quit Ibrox.

 

The 30-year-old, who joined Rangers from Austria Vienna in 2006, is out of contract in the summer.

 

He was quoted as saying he would have to look elsewhere for a deal as there had been no offer yet from Rangers.

 

But manager Walter Smith said on Tuesday: "Martin Bain spoke to Sasa this morning and that's the start of the negotiating factor with him."

 

Smith also admitted that no further progress has been made in terms of Kenny Miller signing a new deal but refuted reports suggesting the striker was set for a move to Rangers' Champions League opponents, Bursaspor in the summer.

 

"There has been nothing new in terms of contracts," he said when asked about the Scotland striker, whose current deal expires in the summer.

 

"There has been no bid for him, so I don't know where that came from."

 

Meanwhile, Smith is still sweating over the fitness of Steven Naismith ahead of Sunday's meeting with Celtic and admits the loss of the forward for the clash at Ibrox would be a major blow.

 

Naismith - who recently signed a new deal with the Scottish champions - was forced out of the Boxing Day win at Motherwell with a hamstring injury.

 

"Just now, he would be doubtful," said Smith following news that Wednesday's match at McDiarmid Park had been postponed. "He would have missed the game at St Johnstone.

 

"I would hope it would maybe settle down and give him a little bit of a chance, but at the moment he is doubtful.

 

"It would be a blow to us to lose him because he has been playing extremely well.

 

"Not only has he been playing well, he has been playing very consistently as well. We would miss him if he didn't make it."

 

Rangers have also had games against Hearts, St Mirren and Dundee United called off in recent weeks, with the game at Tannadice having fallen victim to the weather twice.

 

"With a smaller group of players, we are having to face quite a number of fixtures in the second half of the season, so it will be a busy spell for us once we do get started," he said

 

"From our point of view, that's the biggest disappointment with the games being off. It's fitting them in that's always awkward.

 

"We will also have European games to play and we are quite a few games down, so we know most of our midweeks will be filled in the second half of the season.

 

"It will be a busy second half of the season and our concern will be injuries and suspension taking their toll on a small group of players."

 

However, there was some good news for Smith, with broken-finger victim Kyle Lafferty returning to training and fellow forward James Beattie having recovered from a minor knock that prevented him facing Motherwell on Sunday.

 

The sooner this guys signs a new contract the better. He's a no nonsense, steady Eddie player who has performed well over the last few seasons.

[Gers4Life 0]

Good news, but are rangers not scared and should get kenny tied up on a new contract aswell

[CumbernauldGers 0]

Hope he stays, but not on a 4 years deal at 30.

[ian1964 10,381]

I wonder if Kerkar playing today at left back has any baring on Papac resigning????

[theboyharley 5]

Why start these negotiations two days before he can talk to other clubs? This shouldve been sorted months ago. Typical Rangers

[maineflyer 0]

Why start these negotiations two days before he can talk to other clubs? This shouldve been sorted months ago. Typical Rangers

 

So they can blame the player when they don't have to renew his contract? Anyway, I think we've possibly seen the best of Papac and moving him on might be a reasonable ploy. Allowing him to move for no return is classic Bain.

[Gazza_8 233]

So they can blame the player when they don't have to renew his contract? Anyway, I think we've possibly seen the best of Papac and moving him on might be a reasonable ploy. Allowing him to move for no return is classic Bain.

 

I'd give him a one year extension. It'll suit us and allow the coaching staff to monitor his performanes but I doubt whether Papac would accept that offer.

[calscot 0]

Not many in any walk of life likes a one year contract unless they've already got something lined up after that. It's difficult to relax and make plans when your future is uncertain and you know you have to negotiate another deal in 12 months time.

 

Even football players like a bit of stability, especially at 30 years old and with a young family. Most people like to make a home somewhere - the main difference with decent footballers is that they get jobs elsewhere pretty easily and it's easier to settle into a new place/country when you're a millionaire...

 

The latter also allows you to have less stress about finding a new job and paying the mortgage.

 

It's the life of a footballer but one year contracts are still not attractive...

 

Objectively and without sentiment, re-signing Papac for another couple years isn't exactly exciting but in our present circumstances it would seem a reasonably shrewd move if his demands aren't too extravagant.