RANGERS have been offered the opportunity to boost their title hopes by landing Danish international striker Soren Larsen.

The Schalke 04 frontman is available for around £1.4m and his agent, Ivan Marko Benes, is believed to have held talks with Ibrox chief executive Martin Bain to discuss a possible move.

At 6ft 4in, Larsen would seem like an ideal replacement for Daniel Cousin. The French striker has stated his determination to win a move to the Premiership, although Rangers say there have been no approaches.

Bain was presented with a DVD of Larsen's scoring exploits, and it has been passed on to boss Walter Smith.

Larsen has scored six goals in his five internationals for Denmark two years ago and has been nicknamed Die Waffe - The Weapon - after netting 17 goals in 55 starts for the Bundesliga outfit Schalke.

In Germany, he has linked up with countryman and former Ibrox star Peter Lovenkrands, and is well aware of what would await him in Glasgow.

Larsen would cost around £1m-a-year in wages, but his physical style could turn out to be perfect for the demands of Scottish football.

Eintracht Frankfurt, Wolfsburg and FC Copenhagen have already enquired about the 26-year-old - who was linked with Celtic in August 2006 - but Larsen has no intention of returning home to Denmark.

Smith is also keen to land Hearts goalkeeper Steve Banks after agreeing to allow back-up shot-stopper Roy Carroll to join Derby.

It's believed the Ibrox club are prepared to bid £50,000 for Englishman Banks, who has been recommended by Gers goalkeeping coach Jim Stewart, who worked with him at Tynecastle.

Hearts caretaker Steven Frail is reluctant to lose the Englishman, who also doubles as a coach, but moving to Rangers would be more lucrative for him.

Carroll has beren back-up for Allan McGregor and his agent, Francis Martin, said: "Roy has been up in Glasgow on his own and wants to be closer to his family.

"It was a boyhood dream of his to play for Rangers, the team he grew up supporting, and it's a real pity things haven't really worked out."

Derby boss Paul Jewell was hoping to have Carroll this week, but Smith will only sanction the deal if he secures a replacement.

Jewell said: "The chairman has spoken to his agent and Walter Smith and hopefully we can get that one over the line today. If he comes, Roy Carroll is a top-class goalkeeper."

Banks has reclaimed his first-choice status at Tynecastle from Eduardo Kurskis and Anthony Basso.

Smith was at the Carling Cup semi between Arsenal and Spurs last night.