TRADE OF HONOUR

Rohl happy Ibrox model is giving them shot at glory

- ANDY NEWPORT IN PORTO

IT was former Rangers captain Davie Weir who said it earlier this season.

On the day ex-gaffer Russell Martin was sacked after failing to beat Falkirk, he was asked on TV about Rangers and their so-called player-trading model.

Weir, who won eight trophies at Ibrox, was unequivocal. He said: "Rangers aren't and never have been about player trading.

"Just because Celtic do it, doesn't mean Rangers have to.

Rangers are built on winning, not trading" Weir's words seem more relevant than ever right now, in the midst of this January transfer window.

Danny Rohl is desperately trying to bring new bodies in to aid the club's unexpected title charge.

But as a result of Rangers' remarkable turnaround in the league, the German is now having to field questions about bids for his own players.

In the last week or so, they've rejected offers for Youssef Chermiti and Djeidi Gassama from Fenerbahce and Monaco, respectively.

Accepting those deals which were potentially worth more than £20million - would have ticked that player-trading model box perfectly.

For previous Ibrox regimes, that was always part of the grand plan. But it feels like that mindset has now changed, with Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises at the helm.

Just like Weir said, it seems Rangers are now signing players to win, before any thought of selling them on.