Marvin booted out by Le Guen.
By Gavin Berry.[/size]
Marvin Andrews has been told his Rangers career is over after a showdown meeting with Paul Le Guen. The giant stopper met the new Ibrox boss for the first time last week after being given time off after the World Cup. And it wasn't good news for the Trinidad and Tobago star who was informed he's surplus to requirements.
Andrews earned a third year on the deal he signed in 2004 when he made more than 50 starts under previous boss Alex McLeish. But Le Guen is willing to let the 30-year-old go for nothing if he can find another club.
The former Livingston and Raith Rovers man played in a closed-door friendly against Gretna at Murray Park and didn't cover himself in glory in a 4-0 defeat.
He has been struggling with the knee injury he refused to have surgery on just over a year ago and which came back to haunt him in the summer when it ruled him out of the World Cup.
The news he can go will come as a further blow to Andrews who didn't feature in yesterday's friendly with Middlesbrough. Le Guen said: "I met Marvin and told him if there are any possibilities he can go. It was my decision.
"He has a contract for another year but we are willing to let him go for free."
There were raised eyebrows when McLeish signed Andrews on a Bosman from Livingston two years ago. But the player became a cult figure with Ibrox fans in his first season when he helped them lift the title.
During that campaign he defied medical advice to play on with a cruciate injury despite being told he needed surgery on the knock. His never-say-die attitude won him admirers, as did his "Keep Believing" messages when the league looked beyond them.
Meanwhile, Le Guen reckons the players he has at his disposal should be good enough to win the league in his first season. The Frenchman is still looking to add strength but said: "Hopefully the squad we have would be good enough to win the league. "If we can get one or two players more it would be great but I'm happy with what I have."
Dunfermline: We want Marvin Andrews.
By: John Docherty (Daily Record).
Leish keen on cut-price deal.
Dunfermline boss Jim Leishman has admitted he is keen to bring Marvin Andrews to East End Park - but only if the price is right. The towering Trinidad and Tobago stopper was told at the weekend by Rangers boss Paul Le Guen he can leave Ibrox. And Leishman said: "Marvin is the type of player we would definitely consider but only if he came within our budget." Andrews has endured a miserable summer after being forced to pull out of the Caribbean country's World Cup adventure because of his persistent knee problem. But while the defender has refused treatment on his cruciate injury, casting doubts over his long-term future, his battling qualities are already well known to the Pars manager, who signed him for Livingston from Raith Rovers.
Andrews has also turned down six offers from England to stay close to his Fife church. The Rangers defender has been told he will not feature in the plans of Paul Le Guen, the new manager, and the club have agreed to a free transfer despite having activated an automatic one-year extension.
The Herald understands Wolves, Stoke City and Plymouth Argyle were among the English sides willing to secure the services of the Trinidad and Tobago defender, but Andrews has made up his mind to stay in Scotland and be close to the Zion Praise Centre, with which he is heavily involved.
Hibernian and Hearts have expressed interest in the 30-year-old but Andrews would have to accept a considerable salary cut to join either club.
Hibernian have emerged as favourites, with Hearts willing to offer only a one-year deal, but Tony Mowbray's budget for players is limited. With a year left on his deal, Rangers may require to offer Andrews compensation to cover his loss of earnings. The defender appeared in more than 50 games for Rangers in two years, thereby activating the extra one-year clause.
We can't afford Andrews, concede Hibs.
By: Ed Hodge.[/size]
It is "highly unlikely" Marvin Andrews will be moving from Rangers to Easter Road, Hibs manager Tony Mowbray said yesterday. The 30-year-old Trinidad & Tobago defender has been linked with a switch to the Leith club after being told he will not feature in the plans of new Ibrox manager Paul Le Guen.
Andrews still has a year left on his deal in Glasgow, but Rangers are willing to let him leave on a free transfer, activating the interest of a number of clubs north and south of the border.
The devout Christian, who has defied medical advice to play through knee ligament trouble as a result of his faith healing practices, is already thought to have turned down English offers such is his desire to stay in Scotland and be near his Fife church.
Hibs, who still need to strengthen at the back after the summer exits of Gary Caldwell and Gary Smith, would seem an attractive option for the powerful and fearless performer. But Mowbray last night insisted wage demands are likely to scupper any possible deal for the former Raith Rovers and Livingston centre-half.
He said: "Think it through, Marvin Andrews is a boy who played for the Old Firm. In fact, I shouldn't really comment as he's not our player and not anybody's player other than Rangers. But I know he is many multiples out of our wage structure so let's forget about it. The boy is not out of contract, he's under contract so I would say that [a deal] is highly unlikely to happen."
