Novo�s a hit with Deportivo but striker�s not ready to leave

[pete 2,499]

Nacho Novo's agent insists he is in no rush to leave Rangers despite speculation linking him with moves to Spain and England. Deportivo La Coruna were the latest club to be linked with the striker after he scored twice for the Spanish regional select team Galicia in a 3-2 win over the Iran national team on Saturday night.

 

The Rangers striker came on for the last 16 minutes of Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Celtic at Ibrox before a private jet whisked him to Coruna.

 

Fernando Vazquez, the Galicia manager, claimed Deportivo had watched Novo's performance with interest, while Hull City are said to be monitoring the situation.

 

 

However, Jorge Lera, the player's agent, insists that Novo is still enjoying life in Scotland. "It was not so long ago that Nacho extended his contract at Rangers. He's been there for years now and he is happy. I haven't spoken to him about moving on."

 

Novo has been frustrated at his lack of playing time this season and has not started a game since the beginning of November. At the weekend, he claimed that he did not want to be thought of as a "super-sub" and expressed his ambitions to get back into the starting 11. It seems likely, though, that Rangers will move him on if a suitable suitor can be found.

 

The club are keen to freshen up their squad and a loan switch to Hull City remains the likeliest move for Novo, though Rangers would prefer to move him on in a permanent deal. Ewan Chester, Rangers' chief scout, ran the rule over Dean Shiels, the Hibernian playmaker, who could replace Novo, at the weekend.

 

Walter Smith is also keen to strengthen his defensive options, with Mattias Bjarsmyr, captain of Sweden's Under-21s, the latest to be linked with a move to Ibrox.

 

"We would hope to be active in the transfer market in terms of bringing in players, but that is dependent on who we get out," said Smith. "We've had no contact at this stage regarding any of our players. You go for a few months when the transfer window is closed and you don't have any speculation, but now it's started."

 

Andrius Velicka has been linked with a move back to Hearts, but Smith insisted Charlie Adam, linked with several Coca-Cola Championship clubs, remains in his plans. "He can do a job for us," said Smith. "He has done so in the past and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead."

 

Smith confirmed that he hopes to reduce the size of the squad during January. "We have too many lads in the group who are not playing and they don't like that, which means it's not conducive to having a good squad," he said.

 

"But, first and foremost, we must adjust our current squad before we look at bringing bodies in."

 

I am afraid he won't have much option but to go. We need the money. As simple as that. Another player treated unfairly. I suppose we are better off with Charlie Adam in the team:brick:

[Gribz 743]

Cant believe Novo hasnt started a game in over 2 months. I'll be gutted if he leaves. I think he is as good as if not better than any of our current players RM or LM or upfront.

 

Id like to see 2 central midfielder sit deep and string all the passes then let Novo and Aaron loose on the wings with 2 strikers upfront. If not have 3 across the middle then add Novo in a free role in behind the partnership of Boyd and miller to do a bit od creating and wide roles. It seems so simple! But WS is so blind at the moment.