Rangers still confident of signing Vialli

Rangers are confident they will be successful in a bid to bring Gianluca Vialli, the Juventus striker, to Ibrox, writes David McKinney.

David Murray, the Rangers chairman, said the chances of signing Vialli are 50-50, with the player believed to be considering a move to either Parma or the Scottish champions when his contract expires in the summer.

The audacious move, if successful, would confirm Rangers as one of Europe's top clubs in terms of resources and finance with the added incentive to Vialli and other big name targets of a virtual guarantee of playing European football every season.

Murray, who has held initial talks with Vialli's advisors, will travel to Italy with Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, after Juventus have played their European Cup semi-final second leg against Nantes, and he believes the financial aspect of the deal is a secondary consideration.

"It is now not a monetary decision, it is purely a footballing matter on whether he wants to play out his career with us or Parma," Murray said.