Rangers manager Walter Smith could step up his interest in Aston Villa striker Luke Moore after sanctioning Daniel Cousin's move to Fulham.

Cousin, 30, headed to London to thrash out personal terms after the clubs agreed a fee of £3million.

Ibrox bosses had earlier rejected a reported £2million bid for the Gabon striker, who has scored eight goals in 17 Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches.

However, Tuesday's developments could now pave the way for the arrival of 21-year-old Moore, with former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill ready to let the player leave Villa Park if Rangers meet an asking price of £3.5million.

O'Neill told the Birmingham Mail: "Rangers haven't come in for Luke in terms of a bid, but Walter Smith asked me about him and that's as far as it's gone.

"Is there a £3.5m price tag? Well, yes, obviously because Luke is a Premier League player and that's what he would cost in this day and age.

"I spoke to Walter maybe about a week ago and he hasn't been in touch with me since."

Rangers rejected reports that Tottenham have revived their interest in Alan Hutton, who was the subject of an offer of around £8million earlier this month.

The right-back, 23, turned down the chance to leave Rangers, and Smith insisted there have been no fresh developments.

"There is nothing on that one," he said. "Nothing has changed."

Roy Carroll's return south of the border also remains on hold with Smith yet to find adequate goalkeeping cover.

Derby were keen to recruit the former Manchester United and West Ham shot-stopper, while Rangers have most recently been linked with Darren Ward at Sunderland.

Smith said: "It's fairly straight-forward on that one. Currently, we are attempting to sign another goalkeeper. We can't really let him go until we do.

"So far, we haven't had a great deal of success. If we can manage to do so, Roy has an opportunity to move back to England again which we are happy for him to do.

"The only hold-up is that we haven't managed to get another goalkeeper in to take his place."

Smith, however, has no plans to recruit a midfielder before the end of the month despite Kevin Thomson's injury woes.

Thomson faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after heading to Manchester today to undergo surgery on a groin problem, but Smith feels he is well covered in that area.

He said: "Most of the boys who play in the midfield position have all been getting a game throughout the season anyway. They are more or less all match fit.

"It doesn't leave us with a great problem although we are disappointed for Kevin because the last three or four months has been the best he has played since he came to Rangers."

Several youngsters and fringe players are likely to be given the opportunity to impress tomorrow night when Rangers play host to Third Division side East Stirling in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

"The essence of the cup is what we face tomorrow night," said Smith.

"East Stirling are a team from the lowest division coming to play against the team who are currently top of the SPL.

"People might not look upon that as glamorous but I think that's what cup ties are about and that's what brings an excitement to the Scottish Cup."

Youngsters John Fleck, Dean Furman and Giorgos Efrem could all be given a run-out but the tie comes too soon for Steven Smith and Andy Webster, who are both back in training after recovering from serious, long-term injuries.

The duo were supposed to be taking part in a closed-doors game at Dumbarton tonight but the match - initially set to be played last night - again fell victim to the weather.

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