pete 2,494 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 RANGERS MANAGER Walter Smith has revealed that the Ibrox club are actively considering joining Celtic in the pursuit of James McFadden. Birmingham City have emerged as favourites for the 24-year-old Everton striker's signature with a fresh �£4m bid thought to have been made in the last few days, but Celtic - who had a loan offer rejected by the Goodison Park club a fortnight ago - are also expected to improve their offer for the boyhood Parkhead fan before the closure of the January transfer window. Although the Ibrox club's hopes of financing the deal would have been more straightforward had they banked �£8.5m from the sale of Alan Hutton, Smith said last night that money could yet be found for a player who can genuinely improve the first team and that McFadden, with whom he worked at Scotland, was a player in which they had an interest. "It will depend," Smith said when asked about any new arrivals. "We will only do it if somebody can come in to improve the team. We have got the bulk of it already and these players are difficult to get during the January transfer window. "There's no clubs wanting to get rid of good players in this particular time, so if we can't get it we will not just be getting somebody for the sake of it James McFadden is someone we have been considering. But we are looking at a lot of players over the last two or three months." Another option for McFadden is to remain at Everton, with the club keen to start talks on a contract extension and the player seeing more first-team action in recent weeks. "A lot of clubs are monitoring the situation but Birmingham is the front-runner," a source close to the player said last night. Meanwhile, there were conflicting reports last night about the future of Hibs full-back David Murphy. Despite suggestions that Birmingham were considering a new �£1.75m bid for the player, a source close to the player told the Sunday Herald that the Midlands club had accepted that their pursuit of the defender had failed. Speaking after Hibs' 3-0 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle, new manager Mixu Paatelainen admitted he was keen to have the player back as soon as possible. "It is good to hear that the bids are increasing," Paatelainen said. "But he remains a Hibs player and I am looking forward to using him. He is a fantastic left back." McFadden is a good player but going above 4 mill to get him is pushing his worth to the limit imo. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wija 0 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 I would go to �£6 Million, as he can win games with a strike. Hutton is well worth his 8+ million, but he will stop you losing goals with his tackling rather than winning you games (but I guess stopping you losing goals lets you win games.) I rate McFadden, and would like him in a Gers shirt. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmck 117 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 I agree with Wij - boy's that thing we seem to be lacking, a potential matchwinner. He's also skillful and industrious. A celtic supporter, though. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ascender 352 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 I know this won't be a popular view, but I think we should sign him for the reasons Barry says basically. I think he's the sort of player we're missing. Can't see it happening though as he's destined for the dark side! The only thing I could see in our favour is WS being in charge here. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribz 743 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Would definatly love to sign McFadden. Ive always wanted him and thought we should have went for him a few years ago when he was going for around 1.5 million, but now his stock has raised. Only 24 aswell! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otis 0 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 �£4million seems a bit steep to me, saying that if we did sign him it would wind up the green and grey hordes quite a bit. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,195 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 I wouldn't mind seeing him at the Gers as he has that bit of spark we are missing - but where would he fit into the team ? Would he replace Naismith/McCulloch on the left ? If so then you have Naismith as an expensive bench warmer. Another question is would we be able to get a better player for the same money elsewhere ? Just playing devil's advocate. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ascender 352 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 I thought Naismith was predominantly right sided when he's not playing through the middle, but can go on the left too? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,195 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 No idea Mike, will bow to your better knowledge but I thought that he had been playing out left! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ascender 352 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Lol @ better knowledge! I could quite easily be wrong, but i thought he was naturally right footed although he's been switching wings in games. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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