Rangers boss Ally McCoist is still hopeful - but not confident - Nikica Jelavic will remain at Ibrox beyond the January transfer window.
Rangers boss knows anything can happen
Rangers boss Ally McCoist is still hopeful - but not confident - Nikica Jelavic will remain at Ibrox beyond the January transfer window.
The Croatian striker has been linked with Liverpool, West Brom, Fulham and QPR, and was recently the subject of a failed bid from West Ham.
Jelavic, 26, is set to miss Saturday's game against Hibernian through illness, and McCoist knows his top scorer could attract further offers before Tuesday's deadline.
When asked if Jelavic could stay beyond the end of the month, McCoist said: "I'm very hopeful. I'm not sure confident is the right word because, as we know, anything can happen in the transfer window.
"But I'm very hopeful that he will still be a Rangers player at 11pm on Tuesday."
And when asked if Rangers can retain the title without Jelavic, McCoist said: "Time will tell. I would obviously be far happier going into the run-in with Nikica involved but I'm sensible enough to know that circumstances can change."
Targets
The Ibrox boss says he does have targets in mind if Jelavic does head for the exit door.
"I can't forecast what's going to happen, I don't have a crystal ball," he added.
"What I can guarantee is that we certainly have people in mind who we would like to bring in."
But McCoist does not anticipate there being any problems between club and player if a move fails to materialise.
He said: "He hasn't been in for a couple of days because of his illness but, speaking to him before, he is absolutely fine.
"He knows the situation and it will not be a problem to Nikica if he has to stay here.
"Whether it's seeing out his contract or seeing out the rest of the season, it will not be a problem. He has told me that."
