Pat Fenlon lays into Rangers for cash splash after liquidation

Although it is a “newco” Rangers which is now operating in the Third Division, manager Ally McCoist has wasted no time in spending big to attract a string of recognised SPL stars including former Hearts players Ian Black and Kevin Kyle, Kilmarnock’s Dean Shiels and Francisco Sandaza of St Johnstone.

Rangers are reputed to be offering wages of up to £7000 a week, far more than Hibs can afford, a situation which Fenlon admitted has “driven me nuts” as he continues his bid to strengthen his Easter Road squad.

Fenlon made ex-Hearts defender Alan Maybury his seventh summer signing but was known to be interested in tempting both Shiels and Sandaza to Edinburgh only to lose out.

Revealing other targets have gone elsewhere in search of more money, Fenlon said: “I’m still working away and we are talking to a couple of targets at the moment but it is difficult. Every supporter I meet asks when are we signing a forward. We are trying but obviously clubs are still paying a lot more money than we are which is amazing.

“It’s frustrating, it drives me nuts, drives me mad when you see what has happened and clubs can just go and spend a fortune again. It doesn’t make sense.”

Accepting it was up to those running each individual club to make their own decisions, the Irishman said: “We have been trying to sign four or five players that would have strengthened the squad. We have got two or three of them and we would like another two or three if we can. But financially it’s difficult to get to where some clubs are getting to.”

While answering: “Might be, yes,” when asked if he was talking about a “Third Division club in particular,” Fenlon revealed there were others, on both sides of the Border, prepared to pay more than Hibs at present, disclosing players he’d missed out on had made no secret of the fact they were going for better money.