28 March 2006

Le Guen wastes no time in transfer market and makes French goalie his first signing
By Iain Campbell. PAUL LE GUEN has signalled the end of Stefan Klos's and Ronald Waterreus's Rangers careers by securing the services of Mickael Landreau.

The 26 - year - old Nantes goalkeeper has reached agreement with the new Ibrox boss and he will move to Scotland in the close season. Landreau (left) is the keeper Le Guen wanted, with his old lieutenant at Lyon, veteran stopper Gregory Coupet, now considered too old at 33.

The capture of Landreau means that Rangers will be parting company with Klos as well as Waterreus in June. Dutchman Waterreus is expected to retire from the game at the end of the season and while Klos has another year left on his contract, he has been told he should look elsewhere.

Le Guen must decide whether to recall on-loan keeper Allan McGregor who has performed well for Dunfermline this season but will not be allowed to play in this afternoon's league match between the clubs at Ibrox. He may end up as back-up to Landreau, whom Le Guen sees as the first piece of the jigsaw for the new-look side he is putting together for next season.

The Nantes keeper has bought into Le Guen's vision for Rangers' future and follows the footsteps of Lionel Charbonnier who joined the Ibrox club from Auxerre when Dick Advocaat took over. The Frenchman became a cult figure at Ibrox but was replaced by Klos whom had always been the Dutchman's No.1 choice.

This time the German who established himself as one of the club's greatest ever keepers, will now be ousted by another Frenchman.

Meanwhile, Alex McLeish, who will be replaced by Le Guen in the summer, has a full strength squad to choose from for this afternoon's clash against the Pars.

Only Hamed Namouchi, who is rarely a first choice in the SPL, is causing any concern with a knee injury. McLeish said: "It's ironic that everybody should be fine as the season is closing, but confidence is good and there is that competition for places." Source - Mirror

23 March 2006

The 27-year-old Nantes number one will be a free agent in the summer and has been linked with a move to Ibrox, with incoming coach Paul Le Guen keen to bring in a new goalkeeper.

However, if Rangers do make a move, they will face stiff competition.

Landreau's agent, Alex Lablatiniere stated: “My client is being chased by Milan and Inter, while there has also been contact with Arsenal and Sevilla.” Source - FansFC