Newcastle boss Keegan eyes Ibrox keeper McGregor as potential Given replacement while Spurs wait in wings

By Stephen Mcgowan for MailOnline Updated: 03:04 EST, 12 June 2008

Newcastle United are preparing to offer Rangers £6million for goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Magpies manager Kevin Keegan has identified the Scotland international as a potential replacement for former Celtic youth player Shay Given, currently attracting the attention of a number of Premiership rivals.

Sportsmail understands that Newcastle have already been in touch with McGregor's agent, Willie Mackay, to establish what it might take for Rangers to part with the 26-year-old, who is also interesting Tottenham.

McGregor is earning around £12,000 a week and would expect to more than double his money by moving to the Premiership following a string of headlines concerning his private life.

Already linked with Celtic's Scott McDonald, Aiden McGeady and Artur Boruc, Keegan was alerted to McGregor's form during his spell running a coaching school near Glasgow.

Outstanding last season prior to missing the title run-in through injury, the former Dunfermline loan signing's value has increased significantly.

Rangers strike target Kenny Miller, meanwhile, is expected to hold further talks concerning a £1.9m return to Ibrox.

The former Celtic star was at Murray Park with agent Dave Baldwin on Tuesday - but was unable to agree terms after demanding an increase on his £19,000-aweek deal at Derby.

Some distance still exists between his wage demands and what Rangers are willing to pay and efforts will be made to end the impasse.

Viking Stavanger have also denied holding talks with Ibrox chief executive Martin Bain concerning Lithuanian striker Andrius Velicka.

Viking sporting director and former Rangers player Egil Ostenstad claimed: "I know Martin Bain and if he is in Stavanger, then it's not to talk with Viking."

Injured Ibrox star Steven Naismith, meanwhile, has begun his recovery from an operation on his anterior cruciate ligament.

The 21-year- old said: "The operation went perfectly well, as well as it could have done."