Rangers players Bruno Alves, Jordan Rossiter and David Bates are among those said to be wanted away from Ibrox.
Graeme Murty has told the official Rangers Twitter page that he hopes to keep Bruno Alves and Jordan Rossiter at Ibrox for the second half of the season, and confirmed the club are talking to a number of players facing uncertain futures in Glasgow – including Sunderland-linked defender David Bates.
Alves and Rossiter are said to be attracting interest themselves, from Benevento and Wigan Athletic respectively, but when asked about the speculation surrounding the pair on Tuesday, Murty suggested he is focused on getting them fit again for Rangers.
“Bruno Alves has spoken to me previously about wanting to play in the World Cup [for Portugal],” said the Rangers boss. “We’re trying to get him back fit because he could play a big part in the second half of this season.”
While Alves has only been sidelined since the end of 2017, it is approaching five months since Rossiter’s last Rangers appearance.
Murty added: “Jordan Rossiter has trained twice this week. We have to be careful with him. Everyone wants him back and flying.
“If we build him up properly we are really hopeful we can see him again this season.”
Unlike both Alves and Rossiter, whose deals run until 2019 and 2020 respectively, Bates is out of contract in less than six months’ time, and Rangers could lose the centre-back for as little as five figures in the summer with Sunderland lurking, according to the Daily Record.
Murty said: “We are talking to all of the players whose contracts are up. David Bates is not in a unique situation there.”
The 43-year-old did, however, concede the players could leave Rangers, if they are “desperate to play football and I can’t guarantee it”.
Can Rangers keep hold of Alves, Rossiter and Bates amid interest from Benevento, Wigan and Sunderland, respectively?
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