Jelavic poised for Rangers switch

Nikica Jelavic looks to be on his way to Rangers after refusing to play for Rapid Vienna in their Europa League play-off tie against Aston Villa tonight.

The Ibrox club had agreed a fee with the Austrian club earlier in the week - reported to be around £4m – and personal terms had been agreed with the 24-year-old Croatian striker.

Rapid, though, wanted the player to play in their European tie, which would have left Jelavic cup-tied for Rangers’ forthcoming Champions League campaign and thus put the move in jeopardy.

But it appears the move will happen after Rudolf Edlinger, president of SK Rapid, told the club’s official website: “Contrary to all expectations, Nikica Jelavic said today that he did to not want to play for SK Rapid.

“It is a shock to the entire Rapid-family.

“Rapid is a club with heart and emotion.

“But if someone on his own at such short notice, says he does not want to play in Rapid, then he can go because he lets down not only the team but also the whole club.

“I think that our fans will understand the decision of SK Rapid.”