Sheffield United drop bid for Kyle Hutton & John Fleck

Fleck made his first-team debut for Rangers aged 16

Rangers could send Kyle Hutton and John Fleck on loan to Scottish First Division clubs after a switch to Sheffield United fell through.

The League One outfit failed to register the pair with the Football Association ahead of the closure of the cross-border transfer window.

But Rangers' website stated: "Manager Ally McCoist is open to the duo spending time in the First Division.

"And he will consider any such proposals which come his way."

It is believed that Dundee, Falkirk and Partick Thistle had all previously expressed an interest in Hutton, although the wages for him and his fellow 20-year-old midfielder could prove a stumbling block for future moves.

"There were complications with paperwork," Rangers website said about the failed move to Bramall Lane.

"But, because they weren't down to a human error, there was still a chance the switches could be ratified.

Hutton made several appearances for Rangers under Walter Smith

"As it is, both clubs have been told by ruling bodies the transfers can't take place until the next registration period in January because it would involve moving from one country to another.

"There is no such restriction on the any player leaving to go to a lower league club within Scotland on an emergency loan."

United director Scott McCabe said manager Danny Wilson would now turn his attention elsewhere once the internal loan transfer window opens again.

"It has been a very frustrating time for all concerned," he said. "We have had to eventually admit defeat.

"We expected the transfers to go through and were surprised when we were told they had not been completed.

"Everyone in the football administration team at the club has worked very hard to try to make these transfers happen.

"Danny will already have other options in mind to strengthen our squad."

Rangers secured a deal to send striker Andrew Little to League Two outfit Port Vale on the final day of the summer transfer window.

And McCoist also wanted to find regular first-team football for Fleck, who signed a new three-year contract at Ibrox in 2010, as well as Hutton - who is tied to the Scottish champions until 2014.

Hutton broke into the Rangers team under Walter Smith in August 2010 but has not featured this season for the Glasgow side.

Fleck, the nephew of former Rangers striker Robert Fleck, made his debut as a 16-year-old in January 2008.

He became the youngest-ever player to feature in a senior British cup final when appearing as a substitute in Rangers' 2008 Scottish Cup final win.

That outing against Queen of the South was one of Fleck's 55 appearances - but, like fellow Scotland Under-21 international Hutton, most of those have been as a substitute.