Next 48 hours 'critical' in race to sign Rae

Dundee manager Jim Duffy believes the next 48 hours will prove critical for Gavin Rae’s proposed move to Rangers.

The Ibrox club have had three previous offers for the Scotland midfielder rejected and criticised by the Taysiders.

But the Dark Blues’ boss insists relations have become more comfortable and Rae could be a Gers player before the Old Firm derby at the weekend.

Duffy said: “Discussions are on-going and are a little more amicable now in the sense it is now getting done properly and in the right manner.

“As far as I’m aware the next 48 hours before the window opens on Thursday will be important.

“I know talks are on-going although I am not sure of how far down the line they are.

“I spoke to the administrators a short time ago and reading between the lines it certainly seems it’s getting a little bit closer to something happening.

“I wasn’t happy with the way things were done to start with. But, that’s past now and now two professional clubs are talking properly.

“I’ve no problem with Rangers, they are a great club, and things are being handled well now. We’ll probably find out more Tuesday or Wednesday.”

Rae missed the 2-0 defeat by Rangers on Sunday due to a hamstring problem but Duffy was not prepared to let the player sit on the bench for fear the injury could worsen and cost his club, which is in administration, further hardship.

He added: “Gavin’s not 100% fit, although the talks between the clubs had a slight bearing in that I’ve got another agenda and I can’t get away from it.

“He could’ve been on the bench – but if he’d played and he tore his hamstring then Rangers and other clubs would’ve just taken the view he would be out for six to eight weeks and leave it until the summer to get him for nothing.

“There were other clubs here as well, so we had to be sensible about it.

“One Premiership club watched Gavin against Celtic while there’s another First Division club keen.”