RangersMedia

The deal to bring Jose Goncalves to Rangers on a free transfer seems to have hit problems, with the Portuguese defender confirming that his agent lead talks with the Ibrox club when he was on holiday. However after announcing on his personal website that a 4 year deal with the SPL Champions was close to completion, it now appears that Goncalves is more tight lipped on his future.

"The negotiations were lead by my agent, because I was on holiday. I can not and I don´t want to give out further information on this matter."

Goncalves might not have wished to comment on any protracted transfer with Rangers, however he did confirm that he had one offer of a contract;

"At the moment I have one very interesting offer at hand, which I am considering. But first of all it is important for me to become 100% fit. Then I will decide."

There had been mounting speculation throughout the close season that the former Portuguese under 21 cap would move to Glasgow giants Rangers as his contract had expired with Hearts.

Goncalves is a defender who likes to play on the left hand side although he is adept at playing in the centre of defence also. With speculation still surrounding the Rangers future of Madjid Bougherra, Walter Smith might wish to strengthen his options at the back. The notion that Goncalves is now wishing to remain silent might mean that any offer from Rangers may depend on any further outward movement of the Rangers defensive unit.

It will have been a long summer for Goncalves who has been training without a club recently since he made his own mind up to look for a new challenge away from a period with Tynecastle;

"At the moment I don´t train with a club. I was injured a few weeks back and I´m currently working on my recovery. I had spoken to the manager and the president of the club and told them, that I would be looking for a new challenge. And I still think, that was the right decision."

Goncalves, when asked about what he felt his playing strengths were responded by saying;

"In my head. I mean mentally. And also in the tactical area. I learned a lot in thies area in Italy. As a defender you have to have good tactical abilities anyway and see that you stop the opponents attack as early as possible. That is one of my biggest strengths. I´m also quite fast and have a good technique."