Rumours: Kenny Miller, John Mensah, Tomer Hemed and Jason Puncheon for Rangers?

Kenny Miller has refused to rule out another stint playing for Rangers, saying he was effectively forced out of Ibrox in January. Miller, who moved to Turkish club Bursaspor following the end of his second spell with the reigning SPL champions, has endured a “tough” few months with his new club, as they failed to regain their domestic league title.

The Scotland international, who also had a season with Celtic as he flitted between England and Scotland over several seasons, hasn’t been subject to speculation of a third stint with Ally McCoist’s team. But Miller, who finished the 2010/11 season as the SPL's top scorer despite his mid-season departure, admits he would be tempted to return now Rangers are under new ownership. “Things can change in football and if opportunities arise you have to look at them,” Miller said in the Scottish Sun. “I said that for the last year and a half at Rangers. You never know what's around the corner. “I was placed in a position in January where I only had one option - and that was to go.

“If something popped up out of the woodwork then you have to look at it. There is no point in dwelling on anything when there is no decision to be made. As things stand I have two years left at Bursaspor. "Obviously you hear about things being said back home. I don't think it will happen, although you never know. I loved my two and a half years at Rangers in my second spell. “The last day of the Turkish season was on the same day as Rangers' last league game at Kilmarnock and within five minutes of kick-off it was all over. “All I was thinking about then was what the party was going to be like. It was another medal and it meant so much to the club. You do miss it. I wouldn't be human if I didn't feel that. “I do miss being there, but at the time I felt I had no choice but to go.”

Miller’s arrival in Turkey was intended to hand Bursaspor the necessary lift to win their second consecutive league title but, despite five goals from the striker, the Green Crocodiles fell well short and will only play Europa League football next term, entering at the third qualifying round. As well as seeing his team suffer the disappointment of a third placed finish, Miller has had to contend with adjusting to life in a new country and says he has found it hard to settle. “It's been a tough three months for me across there but I'm happy with the way things have gone and I've managed to get a few goals,” he said. “It's been difficult to be fair. There has been a lot of time away from the family, it's a different style of football and it's a different mentality so it has taken a bit to adapt. “The adrenaline gets you through the first three or four weeks and you can run off that. But, when you realise just how different it is, it's been difficult at times.”

John Mensah claims he is a summer target for new Rangers boss Ally McCoist. The experienced defender has just finished a controversial second loan spell at Sunderland and is due to return to Lyon this summer. Mensah, who would cost around £1 million, is attracting interest from Greece but is tempted by a possible move to Scotland and a crack at the Champions League.

"It is true that Rangers have expressed interest in John, but we are looking at other offers and taking into consideration the price tag before making a move," Fabien Piveteau, the player's agent, revealed. "We have to sit with John's former club-Lyon for a better deal for both parties, for now, we are just considering some factors before taking the next plan of action.“  The 28-year-old had an injury-hit time at the Stadium of Light and also made unwanted headlines when he was involved in a dressing room bust-up with Nedhum Onuoha after a defeat against Wolves earlier this month.

That saw Sunderland boss Steve Bruce decide not to take up the option to buy Mensah.  Rangers are currently looking to add to their central defensive options with captain Davie Weir still to agree an extension and Madjid Bougherra entering the final year of his deal.

Rangers hope to kick-start their transfer activity when McCoist returns from America later this week. Out-of-contract Scotland star James McFadden is on his radar, along with Blackpool winger Jason Puncheon and the Dundee United pairing of Craig Conway and David Goodwillie. McCoist also hopes to try and thrash out a deal to keep on-loan Aberdeen defender Ricky Foster and would be keen to take fellow defender Kyle Bartley back from Arsenal.



Rangers are eyeing a move for £2.5 million-rated Southampton winger Jason Puncheon. The 24-year-old has been on the Ibrox radar for weeks and several scouting missions have been made to see him in action while on loan at Blackpool.

Contact has been made with Puncheon’s agent to see if he would consider a switch to the SPL, with Newcastle, Everton and Bolton all thought to be interested. Agent Tony Finnegan said: “Rangers have confirmed their interest. I have had a phone call from somebody in the new set-up asking me about Jason’s situation. Contact has been made with Puncheon’s agent to see if he would consider a switch to the SPL, with Newcastle, Everton and Bolton all thought to be interested”.

Agent Tony Finnegan said: “Rangers have confirmed their interest. I have had a phone call from somebody in the new set-up asking me about Jason’s situation. “The person I spoke to said he knew Jason is playing in the English Premier League but would he be interested in a possible move to Rangers.“I spoke to Jason and then went back to them and told them he would be. Who wouldn’t be interested in a move to a club like Rangers?”  Northern Ireland defender Gareth McAuley, linked with Rangers, was today expected to sign a three-year deal at West Brom.

Israeli striker Tomer Hemed could be Ally McCoist’s first signing of the summer. The 24-year-old is available on a Bosman having decided to end his time at Maccabi Haifa. Gers scout John Brown has been impressed with the forward after twice running the rule over him in recent weeks.  McCoist could now swoop to add the striker to his attacking ranks for the new campaign. Maccabi president Jacob Shachar said: “We know Tomer is going to leave. He has an offer abroad. We have made him an offer to stay, but I don’t think he will.” Meanwhile, Kenyan internationalist Victor Wanyama has also been linked with a move to the Scottish champions. The 19-year-old, the brother of Inter Milan star McDonald Mariga, is in Belgium with Germinal Beerschot and has been watched by Hannover and Newcastle.