Stewart invited by McLeish

Rangers manager Alex McLeish has invited Scotland international Michael Stewart to join the club on the pre-season tour of Austria.

The Manchester United midfielder faces a tough task to force his way into the Old Trafford first team with Roy Keane, Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs ahead of him in the pecking order.

The 23-year-old spent part of last season on loan at Nottingham Forest and McLeish has jumped at the chance to take Stewart on trial with a view to a permanent deal, according to the club website, www.rangers.co.uk.

United manager Alex Ferguson has permitted Stewart to attend the camp.