Gers end Yuri interest

'Big Eck' has been surprisingly quiet in the transfer market since swapping Hibernian for Rangers, but revealed earlier in the month that a deal for the 31-year-old was in the pipeline.

The Scot was eyeing a summer Bosman move for the experienced defender, but will now explore other avenues after being informed a successful work permit application would be unlikely.

McLeish said: "Nikiforov is somebody we are pulling the plug on. We had problems with the work permit.

"Under the regulations we had to take him right now and we are not in a position to take him right now.

"As a result, we will look around. We will shop around for a centre half who is good competition for Craig Moore and Lorenzo Amoruso."

Nikiforov is only a fringe player at the Philips Stadion under Erik Gerets and was keen on a move to the SPL, but will now have to seek a summer transfer elsewhere - with Austrian side Sturm Graz still keen.

McLeish, meanwhile, has insisted Moore has a key part to play in his Ibrox revolution, but admitted Scott Wilson could soon be leaving Glasgow.

When asked about Australian international defender Moore, McLeish said: "He is an integral part our future and our plans."

Wilson has been a fringe player for some time, and a move to Stoke before transfer deadline day could be on the cards.

McLeish added on Rangers` official website: "Scott going to Stoke is being mooted.

"We have to decide if he goes on loan or whether Stoke simply take over his contract."