McCoist: We can’t afford new defender

Ally McCoist has revealed that his transfer warchest is almost empty.

With warnings coming out of Ibrox about a looming cash crisis the under pressure boss has given up on his hopes of signing Christophe Berra.

The defender was released by Wolves at the end of last season but it seems that the pay-off’s to Carlos Bocanegra and Dorin Goian have emptied the Ibrox biscuit tin.

After yesterday’s friendly at Brora Rangers McCoist  admitted: “The deal for Christophe is now off. There is nothing in that at all I think he’s going to a Championship club.

“The club is still taking to Boris Panza’s agent and I have spoken to the player. There’s still a long way to go but he’s a player we are interested in.”

McCoist has brought in seven new players this summer despite a transfer registration ban but has lost Bocanegra, Goian Neil Alexander and Kane Hemming.

Behind the scenes the split in the boardroom is unresolved with James Easdale attempting to get a seat on the board while former chairman Malky Murray hangs on to his non-executive role.

Last week stand-in chief executive Craig Mather warned that the books have to be balanced but the following day McCoist was talking up his hopes of signing Berra.

“Without doubt, Christophe is someone I’m looking at,” he admitted. “He’s a player I would think ticks the vast majority of the boxes. He’s a great age, a good player and he has vast experience.

“I know he has one or two options which I totally understand and the financial aspect will certainly come into it. I appreciate that because he has a young family.

“Christophe is someone we’d be keen to discuss terms with though and if we could get him in that would be great.

“We’ve been lucky enough to strengthen in other areas but centre back is a key position for us and it’s important we strengthen there too.

“I’ve spoken to Christophe and to his agent. There’s still an awful lot of work to be done if there’s going to be a deal but the signs are we could possibly do something there.”

Former Southend defender Bilel Mohnsi is currently on trial and could feature in Wednesday’s match against Elgin City.