Papac heading for Rangers

Austria Vienna manager Frenk Schinkels has conceded defeat in his bid to keep defender Sasa Papac from moving to Rangers.

The Bosnia international has been earmarked by Ibrox boss Paul Le Guen for his first domestic and European campaigns at the club.

Now the 26-year-old is poised to make the move to Rangers – following striker Filip Sebo and midfielder Libor Sionko from Austria Vienna – before the transfer window closes next week.

Schinkels told the Scottish Daily Star: “The player’s heart and mind are already in Glasgow and I cannot blame him for that.

“I think now that the deal will happen.

“Sasa was slightly injured in our game against Benfica on Wednesday and I have decided not to play him against SV Ried.

“Sasa is important to the team but there are other issues right now that are important such as his transfer.”

He added: “I really do hope, for Sasa’s sake, the deal does go through and I think it will happen now after Rangers made official contact.”

Meanwhile Rangers chief executive Martin Bain admits the club will have to reach the UEFA Cup final at Hampden Park in May to match the financial gains of the Champions League.

The Light Blues have been paired with Norwegian club, Molde, in the first round after finishing third in the Bank of Scotland Premier League last season.

Bain said: “I think we would need to go all the way to the UEFA Cup final to match the kind of money we made from the Champions League last season.

“That will obviously be a tall order but we do feel we have a really good chance of having a good run in this competition.

“If we can get a good run at this competition under Paul that would be good for all involved.

“For example, if we could have European football after Christmas again then we would be delighted with that.”

But Molde boss Arild Stavrum has warned Rangers not to take his side lightly, despite their position at the foot of the Norwegian top flight.

The ex-Aberdeen striker said: “We made a poor start but our form is pointing upwards now. The players have been either great or terrible

“I understand Rangers will be favourites but I believe we can beat them.”