Rangers caretaker boss Kenny McDowall adamant cash-strapped Gers can cope without Brentford bound Lewis Macleod

  • Rangers lie second in the Scottish Championship, currently 15 points behind the leaders Hearts
  • The Gers are set to lose promising midfielder Lewis Macleod
  • The 20-year-old is on the verge of a £1million move to Brentford
  • Rangers caretaker boss Kenny McDowall insists the Ibrox side can cope without the Scotland Under 21 international

By Andy Newport, Press Association

Published: 07:14 EST, 31 December 2014 | Updated: 07:16 EST, 31 December 2014

Caretaker Rangers boss Kenny McDowall insists his side can cope without Lewis Macleod.

The promising midfielder is on the verge of a £1million move to Brentford.

The 20-year-old underwent a medical with the SkyBet Championship outfit on Tuesday but is expected to agree terms later on Wednesday.

Lewis Macleod has completed a £1million move to Championship side Brentford

Rangers midfielder Lewis Macleod in on the verge of a £1million move to Championship side Brentford

The 20-year-old celebrates scoring the winner for Rangers against St Johnstone at Ibrox in October

The 20-year-old celebrates scoring the winner for Rangers against St Johnstone at Ibrox in October

The Scotland Under 21 international's exit would be a major blow for McDowall with his side desperately short on creative options.

But with the club in a deep financial crisis, the seven-figure price tag has proved too good to turn down.

McDowall, though, insists he has enough in reserve to manage without Macleod.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference for Saturday's Scottish Championship clash with Dumbarton, he said: 'I believe Lewis went down yesterday and had a medical and [the transfer] is pending a medical at this time.

Rangers caretaker boss Kenny McDowall insists the Gers will be fine despite Macleod leaving

Rangers caretaker boss Kenny McDowall insists the Gers will be fine despite Macleod leaving

Brentford boss Mark Warburton will be delighted that Macleod is on the verge of joining the Bees

Brentford boss Mark Warburton will be delighted that Macleod is on the verge of joining the Bees

'It would be naturally a blow to see him go. He is a talented lad and he's got the opportunity to move on, which looks like it may now be the case.

'It's disappointing to lose him but that is football. You have got to move on.

'Lewis is one of our top players but it is also an opportunity for someone else to come into the team and stake a claim. So nothing has changed. We are still a good team.

'It's not one player which makes our team. We have a lot of good players in that changing room.

'We're sorry to lose him if that is the case but we will move on.'


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