McCoist hopeful Jelavic will stay

Rangers manager Ally McCoist is hopeful rather than confident that Nikica Jelavic will remain at Ibrox beyond the January transfer window.

The striker was the subject of a failed bid from West Ham earlier in the week and McCoist knows his top goalscorer - who misses Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against Hibernian through illness - could attract further offers before Tuesday's deadline.

On the prospect of Jelavic remaining at Rangers at least until the end of the season, the manager said: "I'm very hopeful. I'm not sure confidence is the right word because, as we know, anything can happen in the transfer window."

He added: "But I'm very hopeful that he will still be a Rangers player at 11pm on Tuesday."

Rangers already trail rivals Celtic by four points in the title race and, asked if they can retain the championship without Jelavic, McCoist said: "Time will tell. I would obviously be far happier going into the run-in with Nikica involved but I'm sensible enough to know that circumstances can change."

The Ibrox boss says he has targets in mind if Jelavic does head for the exit door, and added: "I can't forecast what's going to happen, I don't have a crystal ball.

"What I can guarantee is that we certainly have people in mind who we would like to bring in."

However, McCoist claims the player himself would have no complaints about staying in Glasgow if a move south of the border does not materialise.

He said: "He hasn't been in for a couple of days because of his illness but, speaking to him before, he is absolutely fine.

"He knows the situation and it will not be a problem to Nikica if he has to stay here. Whether it's seeing out his contract or seeing out the rest of the season, it will not be a problem. He has told me that."