Rangers manager Alex McLeish admits the sale of Peter Lovenkrands to Middlesbrough could allow him two new signings in time for the Bank of Scotland Premier League curtain raiser against Livingston at Ibrox on Sunday.
The Danish striker will make his mind up on Wednesday whether or not to join Boro after a couple of days training with the English club.
After the Ibrox side beat St Mirren 1-0 in a friendly at Love Street courtesy of a Ross McCormack goal, McLeish acknowledged that Lovenkrands leaving could enable him to immediately bolster his squad.
He said: "I have not heard anything yet, apparently Peter had two days' training and they were looking at each other.
"I have got nothing lined up to replace him and the left side is definitely a problem area.
"But I am confident that I can get in one or two players but it depends on players leaving.
"It depends if we get a fee for Peter and how much it is but I suppose there is possible scope there."
McLeish welcomed back Marvin Andrews for the first time after international duty for Trinidad in the Gold Cup but the Rangers boss is not as happy as he could be at how his team is shaping up for the start of the season on Sunday.
He said: "I think there is a stronger squad than there was at this stage last season but I am a bit concerned about the lack of fitness in a few of my top players.
"We have got a few players rusty and it's not ideal going into the first game but I think the occasion on Sunday will charge them up.
"Marvin said he felt all right but we will see how he is. It didn't look too difficult for him mobility wise and his jumping was as good as ever.
"He did get some rest. It would have been good for him to have a full rest in the summer but knowing him he will cope.
"We would have also loved to have kept Sotirios Kyrgiakos, no doubt about it because it has disrupted my team."
St Mirren manager Gus McPherson singled out utility player Kirk Broadfoot for his performance for the Saints against the SPL champions.
He said: " If there is a better young defender in the country I have yet to see him. We played him in the midfield on Saturday but certainly his best position is at the back coming onto the game and I thought he was immense."
The Danish striker will make his mind up on Wednesday whether or not to join Boro after a couple of days training with the English club.
After the Ibrox side beat St Mirren 1-0 in a friendly at Love Street courtesy of a Ross McCormack goal, McLeish acknowledged that Lovenkrands leaving could enable him to immediately bolster his squad.
He said: "I have not heard anything yet, apparently Peter had two days' training and they were looking at each other.
"I have got nothing lined up to replace him and the left side is definitely a problem area.
"But I am confident that I can get in one or two players but it depends on players leaving.
"It depends if we get a fee for Peter and how much it is but I suppose there is possible scope there."
McLeish welcomed back Marvin Andrews for the first time after international duty for Trinidad in the Gold Cup but the Rangers boss is not as happy as he could be at how his team is shaping up for the start of the season on Sunday.
He said: "I think there is a stronger squad than there was at this stage last season but I am a bit concerned about the lack of fitness in a few of my top players.
"We have got a few players rusty and it's not ideal going into the first game but I think the occasion on Sunday will charge them up.
"Marvin said he felt all right but we will see how he is. It didn't look too difficult for him mobility wise and his jumping was as good as ever.
"He did get some rest. It would have been good for him to have a full rest in the summer but knowing him he will cope.
"We would have also loved to have kept Sotirios Kyrgiakos, no doubt about it because it has disrupted my team."
St Mirren manager Gus McPherson singled out utility player Kirk Broadfoot for his performance for the Saints against the SPL champions.
He said: " If there is a better young defender in the country I have yet to see him. We played him in the midfield on Saturday but certainly his best position is at the back coming onto the game and I thought he was immense."
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