Croatian Hitman Urged To Snub Liverpool Move

Ally McCoist has urged striker Nikica Jelavic to reject the chance of a move away from Rangers, with Liverpool one of the reported suitors.

Speculation over the last fortnight has placed the Reds in the mix for the striker, who moved to Ibrox Stadium for £4 million last August.

His form in the SPL has alerted a number of clubs south of the border, with The Daily Mail claiming today that Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is one the interested parties in the 26-year-old.

However, McCoist is hoping his player can resist the lure of English football, as well as the financial rewards that could come with a move to the likes of Liverpool.

"It's one of the selling points, there is a greater opportunity at a club like this to compete for major honours," said the manager in reference to their league and cup exploits domestically.

"We fully appreciate, and are well aware, that financially we cannot compete with the vast majority of the teams in the top two divisions down south. That's just the nature of the beast at the moment.

"If a bid comes in for any of our players which we find really acceptable and appealing, you would have to consider it, like every club in the country. I don't think we are any different. But everybody is aware of the importance of keeping our important players."

Jelavic certainly falls into that bracket, scoring 28 goals in 41 games for the Gers, a record which appears to have brought the player to the attention of the Anfield outfit.

Liverpool have been linked with a number of high-profile strikers in the English press leading up to January, with David Villa and Roberto Soldado just two to be mentioned.

And, in a poll of Liverpool fans conducted on facebook, GiveMeFootball found that 87% of Reds fans wanted Dalglish to move for the Valencia striker over any other, including Jelavic, who secured 3% of the vote.

The Merseysiders are relatively short of attacking back-up this term, with Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll and Dirk Kuyt the only three senior options currently at the disposal of the Scottish boss.

With the backing of owners FSG, 'King Kenny' is expected to have the funds available to make moves in 2012 should he wish, with a striker potentially on the agenda.