Soccer: McLeish hands Espartero a chance

Rangers manager Alex McLeish has handed Metz star Mario Espartero the chance to become his first Ibrox signing.

The 24-year-old French midfielder will fly into Glasgow to begin a three-day trial with the club.

If he can impress McLeish and his assistant Andy Watson then he could become their first capture since they arrived from Hibernian in December.

McLeish said: ‘‘He is certainly the type of player we are looking for, but we will wait and see.

‘‘The European deadline has now passed but I had said before that we would continue to look to strengthen because we have so much to play for on the domestic front.’’

Espartero has fallen out of favour in France after a dispute with coach Gilbert Gress and is looking to move on.

He is also believed to have interested Barclaycard Premiership strugglers Blackburn Rovers, but he will train at Murray Park from Wednesday.

Espartero said: ‘‘I know I am going to a big club.’’