Rangers to step up O’Halloran bid

ST JOHNSTONE are today bracing themselves for a renewed attempt by Rangers to snare Michael O’Halloran. Last week, the Ibrox club had two bids for the forward rejected — the second believed to be around £200,000. Since then, though, Rangers boss Mark Warburton has missed out on one of his other top targets, Toumani Diagouraga, to leave the signing of O’Halloran a top priority. Sportsmail understands that no fresh bid was made for the player over the weekend but with just one week of the transfer window remaining, Rangers are likely to quickly move back in with an improved offer. Despite cursory interest from down south in the former Bolton player, only Rangers have shown the colour of their money so far. But with St Johnstone preparing for the League Cup semi-final with Hibs this Saturday, the Perth club are liable to call a

halt to negotiations unless the matter is swiftly concluded. O’Halloran still has 18 months remaining on his deal, meaning St Johnstone are under no pressure to part with him at this juncture. Although the player’s personal terms have been agreed in principle, Saints are unlikely to let their prized asset go for less than £500,000. The Glaswegian impressed Warburton during a goal-scoring performance in the Perth club’s 3-1 League Cup win at Ibrox earlier this season. He once again underlined his value by unsettling Celtic on their own patch on Saturday. Jozo Simunovic will not be in a hurry to see O’Halloran again after the winger’s pace tormented him throughout the encounter. O’Halloran set up Steven MacLean’s goal for Saints in their 3-1 defeat and also put another chance on a plate for Liam Craig after hustling Simunovic off the ball. A Craig Gordon save denied him a double assist.