Stack’s Den move opens door for Almunia

REPUBLIC of Ireland goalkeeper Graham Stack has joined Millwall on a season-long loan deal from Arsenal.

The 23-year-old made four senior starts last season - all in the Worthington Cup. He was also an unused substitute in 30 Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League games and also made his full international debut with the Republic.

The Gunners are still refusing to confirm the £500,000 signing of Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia from Celta Vigo but the deal is expected to go through within the next 48 hours.

A sticking point may be that Celta Vigo still owe the Gunners around £1million on their signing of former Highbury full-back Silvinho two years ago and negotiations could revolve around how much of the Brazilian’s valuation will be wiped off by Almunia’s arrival in north London.

The 27-year-old Almunia, on loan from Celta to Albacete last season, will replace Stack as cover for Jens Lehmann.

Meanwhile Craig Moore has been stripped of the Rangers captaincy and told he has no future at Ibrox.

The Australian defender has been put on the transfer list and will be allowed to leave for “the correct fee” following discussions with manager Alex McLeish yesterday.

Moore was caught in a conflict with Rangers as a result of his determination to represent his country at the Olympic Games in Athens next month, meaning he would miss the beginning of the new Bank of Scotland Premier League campaign.

The Gers eventually relented after Australia threatened to ban him from playing for Rangers if the club did not allow him to join up with the rest of the Socceroos in Greece.

McLeish said: “Myself and Craig have had a discussion regarding his current situation at Ibrox and his desire to play for his country at the forthcoming Olympics.

“Each of us have our own objectives and I have decided to appoint a new captain for season 2004-05, which I will announce imminently.

“Both Craig and I have jointly agreed that the interests of Rangers FC are the priority and therefore he will relinquish the captaincy.

“We will now make Craig available for transfer at the correct fee.”