Close menu

Rangers: Nacho Novo gives up on return as trialists arrive at Ibrox

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments41

Nacho Novo guests for Rangers in a charity match

Former Rangers forward Nacho Novo has given up as two ex-Barclays Premier League players arrived on trial.

Mali striker Mamady Sidibe , while Algeria winger Hameur Bouazza was at Fulham, Charlton, Watford, Blackpool and Millwall.

The 34-year-old Novo has been training with the club he left in 2010 after leaving Huesca in his Spanish homeland.

"I don't think the Rangers thing is going to happen to be honest," he said.

Hameur Bouazza in action for Algeria
Bouazza has made 21 international appearances for Algeria

"It would have been my preferred option and the club knows that. But, if nothing has happened by now, it's not going to happen ever.

"I always said I wanted to come back and finish my career here, but it's not up to me.

"I'm just trying to keep myself fit and hopefully find another club.

"Over the last few days, I've heard about a few offers in Europe, but I'm still waiting for things to happen."

Sidibe and Bouazza, both represented by Gregory Dakad, the agent for , arrived in Glasgow on Sunday night.

The 28-year-old Bouazza is a free agent having most recently played in Spain with Racing Santander, where he was a team-mate of former Rangers defender Carlos Bocanegra last season.

Sidibe, now 33, spent eight years with Stoke, during which time he was also on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Tranmere Rovers and previously played for Swansea City and Gillingham.

Mamady Sidibe in action for Tranmere
Sidibe's loan to Tranmere - and his season - was cut short by injury

said: "They've just come in to have a look at our place and also for us to have a wee look at them.

"They're obviously not up to the same levels of fitness as our lads are, but that's totally understandable.

"They haven't done any pre-season training yet and there's no pressure on anybody. We'll make them feel very welcome and we'll see what happens.

"It would be crazy of us not to take the option to bring other people in and have a look at them after the success we've had with Bilel's trial. Both players have good pedigree."

McCoist has not ruled out fielding the duo in Wednesday's friendly against Dundee at Dens Park.

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

41 comments

  • Comment posted by U15752934, at 22:34 29 Jul 2013

    Surely the obvious answer is Mr McCoist is building a team that will be together for a few seasons and eventual return to the top tier. Not just the season immediately ahead.

  • Comment posted by U15803992, at 00:20 30 Jul 2013

    come on give novo another shot hes still got alot to offer rangers hes always been a great player and still is, hes got fighting gers spirit novo is a rangers man through and through

  • Comment posted by sillybhoy, at 09:46 30 Jul 2013

    @18

    Well in one day they did sign five thats nearly two dozen

    I did say seem to sign......
    It was only a bit of friendly banter no need to get all hot and bothered, lighten up

    touch a nerve does it?

  • Comment posted by U13961844, at 08:53 30 Jul 2013

    #1 ianl - This story is actually about Ally NOT signing someone. Also, he is not purchasing any of the three players mentioned in the article as they are available as free agents.

    I suspect that Ally is trying to get the core of a squad together and settled. Season 14/15 could be a big challenge with potentially a handful of real Championship challengers should Rangers be promoted.

  • Comment posted by Stewart1872, at 01:12 30 Jul 2013

    "We're having some problems rating this comment at the moment. Sorry. We're doing our best to fix it"............Eh?

    What, EVERY day?

  • Comment posted by U15778157, at 22:37 29 Jul 2013

    Not sure why these players are needed, the squad is actually okay as it is.

  • Comment posted by Pringo69, at 22:36 29 Jul 2013

    I am really not sure what these players offer Rangers either now or in the future. We have a squad that is too big and already good enough to win the league this year and next, so any signings must add value long-term. Doesn't say a lot about the clubs faith in the Murray Park production line!!

  • Comment posted by U14935130, at 17:13 30 Jul 2013

    Ally needs to build up a squad capable of competing for the top 3 in the premiership when they get back. Next season's signing will give a much better indication of wage structure and ability of players. I would expect only three or four players from this season to be in the squad by the time that happens.

  • Comment posted by U15748783, at 10:20 30 Jul 2013

    The older players that rangers have signed are all on 2 year deals all the youth that played last season are on 4/5 year deals and yes the experienced players have been brought into chase cups a bit of a gamble I think , I would have preferred to build a young team on the way back up stuff the cups and kept the money for the premiership

  • Comment posted by U15493954, at 10:08 30 Jul 2013

    Ally is thinking of the future of getting back to the top. Some of the players will leave as we progress back to the SPL

  • Comment posted by Bamber - A reprieve for the dog no more, at 09:43 30 Jul 2013

    21/22 I agree it's money that doesn't need to be spent. I think naturally last seasons squad needed a few new players but I'd have been happier signing a few talented youngsters for the future. There's no doubt some of the signings will serve us in the premiership but possibly at the cost of development of a youth. Eyes on cup runs are probably to blame for the need for better players than div 2

  • Comment posted by U14376176, at 09:30 30 Jul 2013

    And before this escalates into the usual schoolboy "my dads union jacks bigger than your dads tricolour" nonsense, can we have some real rangers fans opinions on the strategy at the club, money being spent they dont have to, etc. whats the point? making noises about cups and stuff. same noises that were being made last year. they should probably be more worried about the finances.

  • Comment posted by U14376176, at 09:18 30 Jul 2013

    Speaking to rangers fans at the time they went to the 3rd, i know they were hoping young scots lads would come through and make the majority of the team that would end up back in the premier league. a good manager would be able to get last years squad to the premier, no need for all the new signings. sell on fees for the players will be minimal as well. just what a team like this need. not.

  • Comment posted by U5331635, at 01:45 30 Jul 2013

    Come back to Raith Nacho.
    We'll happily let you finish your career here, and get us back to the SPFL or whatever it's called.

  • Comment posted by Alan526, at 00:24 30 Jul 2013

    I'm happy signing experience to assist the youngsters but John Daly was enough at around the 30 mark let's try and keep the rest to about 25 so we are building a squad. Ian L the players he's signed will only be on the same as sandaza was which is £5k this year and when you think Goian £18k, Boca £18k, Alexander £12k Sandaza £5K and Kyle £5k have left the wage bill is well down on last year.

  • Comment posted by dungolfin, at 23:06 29 Jul 2013

    That's a shame I really wish they'd signed Novo, I really do.

  • Comment posted by ianl, at 22:13 29 Jul 2013

    This is a serious question and not a dig at anyone. Can someone please explain to me why Mr McCoist continues to purchase player after player who will be on SPFL salaries, to enable his team to be promoted from the third tier of Scottish football, when he could have kept the players he already had last season and still been promoted fairly easily. I just don't get it.

  • Comment posted by U15805388, at 19:44 31 Jul 2013

    Come on people theres not a league game been played yet and some people have already got the daggers out and are already attacking Ally and the players hes signed its just wrong. Fair enough if half way through the season and we are not playing at an acceptable standard the people have a right to criticise to certain point but I have faith in McCoist and the players WATP

  • Comment posted by Scott1985, at 12:31 31 Jul 2013

    Nobody within Rangers has ever given Novo cause to believe he would have a shot other than allowing him to train in Scotland and keep his fitness up.

    Don't see the requirement to sign these two guys either but Ally is now building a squad for Scottish football with a core group of guys like Bell, Black, Templeton and Law while introducing youth around them.

  • Comment posted by Dondaz, at 09:50 31 Jul 2013

    I think Ally is just getting excited as he i snow able to sign players so he has gone into overload.

    @34 - the only reason there are a lot of youngsters is because fo the transfer embargo. See how many are in the team this year.

Top Stories