Soccer: Ince hints at Rangers move

Former England midfielder Paul Ince has told Rangers he is willing to solve their midfield problems.

The Middlesbrough captain’s current contract expires at the end of the season, allowing the 34-year-old to talk to other clubs.

He is aware that Gers boss Alex McLeish is desperate to sign an experienced midfielder before the UEFA Cup deadline at the end of the month.

An immediate move would mean paying a fee, but if McLeish waited until the summer then no money would change hands between the clubs.

Ince said he has already begun research on life at Ibrox by talking with former England and Riverside team-mate Paul Gascoigne.

Asked if he would be prepared to move to Glasgow, he replied: ‘‘What do you think? Of course I would, because Rangers are a massive club.

‘‘I know all about Rangers because Gazza never stopped talking about them when he was up in Scotland.’’

Ince revealed his own future could be decided within a fortnight.

He said: ‘‘I’m still under contract, so I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to speak in detail about other teams at the moment.

‘‘Yes, there are things happening. But I just want to concentrate on getting Middlesbrough up the Premiership and away from the relegation zone at the moment.

‘‘We have a hectic schedule just now, although I know that in a couple of weeks I need to sit down and see where my future lies.’’

Ince’s agent Steve Kutner said: ‘‘There hasn’t been any approach from Rangers as yet, although I’m sure a move north would appeal to Paul.

‘‘At the moment, the only concrete interest has come from Italian clubs.’’

McLeish is currently weighing up a move for Heerenveen’s Swedish striker Marcus Allback, who is rated at £4m (€6.5m) but will be available for £2.5m (€4.06m) in May.

The Rangers boss is still undecided about splashing out - and the player has said he understood the concerns.

He said: ‘‘If Rangers want me then they’ll buy me. If they don’t then okay, that’s fine. It’s not as if the biggest goal in my life is only to come to Glasgow.

‘‘If some other club comes in for me I’m not going to say I’m only waiting for Rangers. But to be fair to McLeish, I understand if he is going to spend a lot of money on me then he needs to see me in a few games to be certain.’’