Smith's master plan put on hold

Scottish football

Scottish football

The Brazilian striker Jardel and the Dutch forward Peter Van Vossen are the men Walter Smith wants to maintain Rangers' domestic dominance and launch a fresh assault on the Champions' League next season.

He thinks that if he can complete deals to bring the pair to Glasgow, his Rangers revolution will be almost complete. That may not be easy.

Rangers have agreed a swap deal with the Turkish club Istanbulspor for Van Vossen, which would see Oleg Salenko moving in the opposite direction. The Russian international was last night en route to Turkey for a medical and has still to agree terms with his prospective new club.

Rangers have settled matters with Van Vossen, but they have to hurry to complete the deal before Turkey's transfer deadline on Monday.

Van Vossen, a member of Ajax's European Cup-winning squad last season, is expected back at Ibrox after the weekend.

Jardel has been looking over Ibrox this week even though red tape is delaying his pounds 3m move from Gremio of Brazil. He needs a work permit or a Portuguese passport to come through.

Salenko's departure will free one of the 10 non-EU places available in , but Rangers may not automatically be granted the permit for Jardel. A Scottish League spokesman confirmed last night that if Salenko leaves, Rangers would have to apply for permission from the management committee for another work permit.