WALTER SMITH is having to play the waiting game as he looks to bring in the four new faces he wants to strengthen his Rangers squad.

SportTimes understands the Ibrox boss is very keen on bringing in Sunderland's Nigerian powerhouse midfielder Dickson Etuhu, while talks are still ongoing over his pursuit of Steven Davis and Glenn Loovens.

And the Ibrox gaffer would also like to add Middlesbrough's England Under-21 winger Adam Johnston on loan to his ranks as cover for injuries to players in the wider areas.

But no deals could be secured before last night's midnight signing deadline for the second round Champions League qualifier against FBK Kaunas next Wednesday at Ibrox. And Smith will now hope that what he has is enough to get past the Lithuanians - before stepping up moves to bring in new players before the next European signing deadline of August 7 for the third round qualifiers.

Rangers did speak with Fulham throughout most of yesterday regarding Davis. But, despite some movement on the London club's £4million valuation of the Northern Ireland internationalist, no agreement over the transfer fee could be struck.

Smith has already held talks with Sunderland boss Roy Keane over the 26 year-old Etuhu. Keane would be happy to let the former Man City and Norwich midfielder go for around £2m, but will do no business until he gets another midfielder on board himself.

Gers No.2 Ally McCoist watched former Feyenoord centre-half Loovens shine in Cardiff's 1-0 win over Celtic last night in the Algarve. The 24-year-old Dutchman looked a classy operator and Gers have now spied on him twice this week.

Loovens was recommended to Smith by a contact towards the end of last season, but the Gers boss had not seen enough of him to make any instant decision.

There have been no bids tabled for the player but, after McCoist left Faro pleased with what he saw, Rangers may well now go to the Welsh club and see if a deal can be struck.

Loovens is into the final year of his contract and has told Cardiff he wont sign a new contract. But the Bluebirds are valuing him at around £2.5m, and there is no way Rangers will pay that for a player that can sign on a Bosman pre-contract in January for free.

Meantime, Alan Gow has been linked with moves to Dundee United and Hearts. He wants to stay in Scotland, but no-one in the SPL can match his wages. Gow is looking for a severance from Rangers for the two years left on his deal to go, and that could allow him to drop to SPL wages again.