Danny Wilson and Rob Kiernan lined up as Mark Warburton’s first signings at Rangers

Rangers have started talks with former Hearts captain and Wigan defender
Danny Wilson and Rob Kiernan could be Mark Warburton’s first signings
Ibrox club are also interested in ex-Derby and Watford star John Eustace

Published:
18:27 GMT, 22 June 2015

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Updated:
22:11 GMT, 22 June 2015

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Rangers manager Mark Warburton is closing in on his first signing with talks progressing with Wigan defender Rob Kiernan and former Hearts skipper Danny Wilson.

Kiernan was photographed entering Murray Park on Monday while Wilson was also reported to have travelled to the training ground for a medical as he nears a return to the place where he started his career.

Warburton is also looking to sign 35-year-old former Watford and Derby midfielder John Eustace to guide what he hopes will be a predominantly youthful squad.

Wigan defender Rob Kiernan (right) was pictured leaving Ibrox following talks over a move

New Rangers boss Mark Warburton meets the club’s oldest season ticket holder on his 100th birthday

After making a presentation to mark oldest Ibrox season ticket holder John Connelly’s 100th birthday, Warburton said: ‘We are making good progress and there are hopefully a positive few days ahead.’

On 24-year-old Kiernan, who came through the youth ranks under Warburton at Watford, the manager said: ‘He’s a very talented player. We are hopefully near the end of negotiations.

‘I have known him very well from a very young age, he is technically very good, 6ft 3in, comfortable at Championship level down south.

Kiernan came through the youth ranks under Warburton at Watford and is regarded as ‘very talented’

Former Hearts captain Danny Wilson also looks set for a return to Ibrox where he started his career

‘We are looking for a young, hungry squad that want to play here but at the same time you need one or two senior mentors to look after them, not just on the pitch but off the pitch too. It’s about getting the balance right, making sure they are good enough to deal with 45,000 out there, but also what they bring to the club away from the pitch.

‘People like John Eustace are few and far between. We are having a chat and seeing how far we can take it, no more than that.

‘If you look at the win ratio when John is playing, he is really important. He had a big role at Derby in recent years. He is someone I know really well and someone I have always been impressed with.’

Hibs midfielder Scott Allan is ‘one of hundreds’ of players being touted to the new Rangers boss

Warburton added that Hibs midfielder Scott Allan was ‘one of a hundred players’ mentioned to him in recent days but he will take his time going through the options.

‘The first competitive game is July 25 so we have to be aware that pre-season is tight but we can’t rush into it,’ he said.

‘The biggest mistake we could make is to panic and get the wrong players at the wrong time.

‘We have to get players who add value here. I’d rather take my time and make sure we get the right people.

‘We have to show the supporters that we are signing players who are hungry and have development potential in them. I think marquee signings are dangerous.’