Gers fans to back Moore decision

Rangers supporters will throw their backing behind Alex McLeish’s decision to put Craig Moore on the transfer list and strip him of the captaincy.

That is the view of John McMillan, chairman of the Rangers Supporters Clubs, following the news that the Australian is set to leave Ibrox.

Moore’s future looked in doubt towards the end of last season when he threatened to quit if unimpressed by McLeish’s summer signings and the Rangers boss branded his skipper’s comments “unhelpful”.

The row between the pair escalated this month when Moore revealed he intended to represent his country at the Athens Olympics even though that would mean missing the start of the season and the crucial Champions League third round qualifier.

Following discussions yesterday, the club announced Moore could leave for the “correct fee” and McMillan believes McLeish already has the players in place who can fill the void.

He said: “There will be disappointment to a degree – Craig Moore has served the club well – but I think the fans will realise there are replacements there now.

“The type of player the manager is looking for is strong and physical. I’m not saying Moore isn’t a good player but he doesn’t have the physical presence of Marvin Andrews or Jean-Alain Boumsong.

“Overall, there will be a tinge of disappointment but I think most of the fans will back the manager and the club.”

McMillan believes Moore’s imminent departure was no surprise once he appeared to put his country before his club.

He added: “Most people expected this to happen and it’s not a great surprise.

“He had a difficult choice to make – it’s an honour to represent your country and it’s an honour to captain your club. But, at the end of the day, it’s the club who pays his wages.

“This is an important time for the new players to gel with the rest of the squad and it would appear to suggest a lack of interest on Moore’s part after choosing to play for his country instead.”

Meanwhile, Gavin Rae has been told he faces around six months on the sidelines following a knee operation.

The midfielder suffered cruciate ligament damage during the 3-3 draw with Dundee United in April and is currently recovering from the surgery in a private clinic in England.

He then faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines and should make his comeback around the turn of the year.

Mikel Arteta has left Rangers and returned to Spain with Primera Liga side Real Sociedad in a £2.6m (€3.9m) deal.

The 22-year-old will sign a four-year contract with the Basque club, who endured a difficult campaign last season after finishing runners-up in 2002-03.