CHEAP SHOT

Hibs dismiss Ibrox bid for Allan just days before clubs clash

HIBS last night kicked out an initial sixfigure bid from Rangers for Scott Allan — but the Ibrox outfit are still determined to get their man before the sides clash at Easter Road on Saturday.

Mark Warburton finally made his move for the midfielder after refusing to deny that a bid was imminent after his side’s friendly defeat by Burnley on Tuesday.

The timing of the bid is sure to infuriate the Hibs support and with Alan Stubbs finalising his own squad’s preparations for the season, the Leith side are determined to hang on to their star man. Allan (below) was on Ally McCoist’s wanted list last summer as he prepared to leave West Brom but opted instead to ply his trade at the opposite end of the M8. At the time, he admitted he would one day like to fulfil his boyhood ambition of playing for Rangers, but it remains to be seen i f that will be i n the coming season. Former Rangers defender John Brown believes that, if the Easter

Road club do sell, it would

effectively hand their Ibrox rivals the league title. ‘Alan Stubbs knows the boy Allan is going to be one of the best midfield players in the league,’ said Brown. ‘He proved against Rangers last season that he’s a handful.’ ‘If Rangers get him, that will cost Hibs the league. But they might need that money to bring in three or four players. You don’t know. ‘It would be a massive coup for Rangers if they got Allan because with him in the middle of the park, with Halliday and Law, the boy Holt, there would be good options there. ‘I think it would really strengthen Rangers. I’m sure Mark and Davie Weir will look to add to the strike force too. ‘If he is going with the three up front, he’s probably needing more on the left and right, although Kenny Miller linked up well with Lee Wallace (on Tuesday). ‘Kenny’s experience will be good for the squad.’ While a Championship player in the last year of his contract may not be out of reach, Brown insists that the days of spending big money are long gone for Rangers. ‘Forget that,’ he said. ‘What marquee signing would want to come and play in the Championship? Seriously. ‘And would Rangers really want to throw their budget out of the window to accommodate one player and create disharmony in the dressing room? I don’t think so. ‘Mark Warburton has got young players who are willing to listen. They are hardworking and will be energised by the management. ‘There is also stability in the boardroom and, hopefully, this season it’s all about the football.’

“Signing Scott would

be a massive coup”