26 August 2006

Austria Vienna manager Frenk Schinkels has conceded defeat in his bid to keep defender Sasa Papac from moving to Rangers.

The Bosnia international has been earmarked by Ibrox boss Paul Le Guen for his first domestic and European campaigns at the club.

Now the 26-year-old is poised to make the move to Rangers - following striker Filip Sebo and midfielder Libor Sionko from Austria Vienna - before the transfer window closes next week.

Schinkels told the Scottish Daily Star: "The player's heart and mind are already in Glasgow and I cannot blame him for that.

"I think now that the deal will happen.

"Sasa was slightly injured in our game against Benfica on Wednesday and I have decided not to play him against SV Ried.

"Sasa is important to the team but there are other issues right now that are important such as his transfer."

He added: "I really do hope, for Sasa's sake, the deal does go through and I think it will happen now after Rangers made official contact." Sporting Life

24 August 2006

RANGERS are closing in on a £1million swoop for Austria Vienna defender Sasa Papac. The tough Bosnian has been targeted by Paul Le Guen to add much needed defensive cover.

A bid of over £600,000 was rejected by Vienna last night as they brace themselves for a third Ibrox raid after the loss of Libor Sionko and Filip Sebo.

But an increased offer will be lodged - and Papac looks certain to become Le Guen's 11th summer signing.
Meanwhile, Le Guen faces an anxious wait to see if Chris Burke will recover from being kicked on his damaged ankle in last night's friendly against Zenit St Petersburg.

The winger was felled by a reckless challenge by Fernando Ricksen and is now a doubt for Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Comfortable at both centre-back and left back, Papac has been tracked in recent weeks and Le Guen watched him shine for Bosnia against France in a friendly last week. Source - Evening Times

17 August 2006

PAUL LE GUEN was today studying a new scouting report on Sasa Papac as he weighs up a move for the Austria Vienna defender.

The Rangers boss sent a spy to last night's friendly between Bosnia and France in Sarajevo.
Papac, 26, played the entire game as Bosnia went down 2-1, and again stated after the match he'd love to join Rangers.

Le Guen saw Papac several times last season when he scouted Vienna's Libor Sionko and Filip Sebo. But he wanted an appraisal of his display against the beaten World Cup Finalists as he looks at all his centre-half options.

A Vienna spokesman today confirmed Rangers had made an approach, but no bid has been lodged for the £1.2m rated defender.

Le Guen filled his troubled right back spot last night when Manchester United's Phil Bardsley agreed a loan move. But his hunt for another stopper - be it Papac or anyone else - still hinges on high earners being shipped out the door. Source - Evening Times