Rangers closing in on deal for Senderos

MARK WARBURTON hopes to secure the signing of Philippe Senderos in the next 48 hours. And the Rangers manager isn’t ruling out the Swiss being involved at Kilmarnock tomorrow evening if a contract is finalised in time. The 31-year-old defender has continued to train with the club this week as they seek centre-half reinforcements following the collapse of a deal for Joleon Lescott. ‘We are having a look at him, he is having a look at us,’ said Warburton. ‘That’s how it works. We have other options and so has he. ‘I have been very, very impressed. His on-the-park stuff is obvious, his technical ability. His CV is too good not for that to be very strong. ‘The question marks we had were physically. Can he deal with it, training with the team? But he has dealt with every session more than comfortably. ‘He is in good shape. But we have to make sure it is the right decision for Rangers and likewise he has to make sure it is the right decision for him. But I am hopeful we are getting very near. ‘I’m hoping that by the end of this week, we will get a conclusion one way or another.’ Warburton confirmed that making Senderos his 11th summer addition would mark

the end of Rangers’ business for the current transfer window. Asked if the former Arsenal man could be part of the squad at Rugby Park, Warburton replied: ‘He could be if we get it over the line in time. ‘If it’s the right person, if it’s done on time, I wouldn’t say we wouldn’t. ‘Are we comfortable playing him? Absolutely. But there is no manic rush. ‘It has to be right for Rangers and right for Philippe. ‘If we get that combination, then we’ll be okay.’ Martyn Waghorn remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, but £1.5million signing Joe Garner could make his Rangers debut in Ayrshire after being introduced to the supporters during the half-time interval in the weekend league win over Motherwell at Ibrox. The former Preston North End striker has no issues with match fitness having already made three competitive appearances this term for his former club. Matt Crooks played an hour for the Under-20s on Tuesday night, having recovered from an ankle injury sustained while still an Accrington Stanley player. Warburton is pleased to see the 22-year-old make progress, but won’t rush him towards first-team action. ‘Don’t forget he hasn’t played in five-and-a-half months, so it was good for him to get a run-out,’ stated the Rangers manager. ‘It’s about giving him confidence to play football again. ‘He has been training hard and doing well, but it was a nasty injury that kept him out for quite a while. ‘Hopefully, he will be involved when we go over to Linfield (for a friendly a week on Saturday). ‘He has had a hard time of it, with the injury and frustration as well. ‘Moving to Rangers and not being able to join in has been hard for him, but he has shown a great attitude for a young player. ‘He has worked hard with the physio team and is getting there.’