Football: Big Eck calling time on the use of agents; PREMIERLEAGUE SPECIAL: RANGERS v MOTHERWELL, IBROX, TODAY (KICK-OFF 3 PM) McLEISH GOES STRAIGHT TO TOP TO SIGN HIS MEN.

Byline: Michael BAILLIE

ALEX McLeish is cutting out the middle man as he attempts to rebuild Rangers.

The Ibrox manager admits to giving agents a wide berth as he strives to bring in quality signings to mount a fresh assault on the championship and Europe.

French international Jean-Alain Boumsong and Livingston's Marvin Andrews, who operates without an agent, have already signed up and McLeish insists more will follow.

Although he would not admit it, McLeish was clearly stung by agents last summer, as many of his top targets slipped out of his grasp, resulting in panic buys like Emerson and Egil Ostenstad, who have failed to make their mark. He is determined not to make the same mistakes this summer.

McLeish said: "I'm going straight to managers and missing out agents.

"I'm trying to be pro-active. We waited for things to fall in our lap last summer and it wasn't as productive as we would have liked.

"I'll continue to speak to managers, just shoot the breeze with them and see if there is anything they want to do business wise, or if there is a certain player I've noticed on the fringes of things, would they be willing to let him come on a transfer or on loan?

"There is a financial crisis in world football. In Italy the clubs' debts are phenomenal and clubs are now bending over backwards to do deals or loan out players.

"If you go through agents the process takes too long. You get hold of this or that agent and by the time it gets to the players it goes a bit underhand.

"It's better just going straight to the manager and saying what is happening with this or that player. It saves a lot of time."

The one area McLeish is desperate to strengthen is his attack and he assured frustrated Rangers supporters he does have the funds to entice a top quality striker to Ibrox.

McLeish just missed out on John Carew last summer, as at the 11th hour Roma stepped in for the Norwegian international.

Striker

Rangers have been linked with him once more, with Francis Jeffers, James McFadden, James Beattie and Alan Smith all touted for a move to Ibrox. McLeish knows that he cannot rely on the bargain basement again.

He said: "We've got to continue the rebuilding but with the expectation levels at Ibrox we've got to start the season as the finished article. That'll be difficult from the point of view of getting the right targets in.

"My priority is a striker and I'm doing that before thinking about other positions.

"We are going for top strikers and giving the Rangers fans what they want.

"They have been magnificent in their support through a frustrating season and we need them to come in their numbers.

"But we have to show our intent by bringing in quality and the top priority is a striker. There is a very top tier and that's difficult for most clubs to get near. Then there are levels after that and we've got to try and get as close to the peak as we can.

"There is competition, but Rangers are still a big attraction and we hope we can get the No.1 targets.

"We said in January that there will be money available for a striker but I wanted to wait until the summer to get the ones we feel can take us forward.

"And we'll be able to compete with other clubs for Bosmans and loan deals."

As he strives to get new faces in, McLeish is desperate to clear some of the deadwood from his books to free money for use in the transfer market.

Nuno Capucho, Emerson and Christian Nerlinger have been informed they have no future at Ibrox and McLeish has urged the trio to up their efforts in finding new clubs.

Although they are all under contract, he has even advised them to train with potential employers to help secure moves for next season.

He said: "Talks are ongoing with Martin Bain and the representatives of these players.

"But if someone had said to me: 'You can have a look at this player from now until the end of the season in training' then that would be ideal, rather than them joining you in pre-season.

"That's what I thought would have been ideal for Nuno, Emerson and Christian.

"The guys are frustrated themselves and not happy at not being part of my plans. They want to secure another club. It'll help if the players move on."

Despite his resolve to bring his top targets to Ibrox, McLeish could lose out on Danish defender Martin Laursen.

Spurs are set to hijack the deal for the AC Milan stopper, who has confirmed his interest in a move to Rangers.

Rangers have yet to make an official approach for Laursen, but news of Spurs' interest will be a massive concern for McLeish, who would struggle to land the Dane if both clubs offered a similar financial package.

In Rangers' advantage is the fact that White Hart Lane caretaker boss David Pleat cannot make a move that has not been sanctioned by the new Tottenham manager, expected to be appointed shortly.

The player's agent Federico Pastorello said: "If Martin leaves Milan, he will do it in the right way. Rangers could be an option, but I have not talked with the club."

CAPTION(S):

BACKWARD STEP: Egil Ostenstad; TIME WASTERS: McLeish blames agents for killing some transfers