LEE Wallace is capable of starring in the Barclays Premier League - and Rangers face a fight to hold on to him during the January transfer window.

That was the prediction from former Everton left-back Gary Naysmith today as speculation about proposed cutbacks at the Ibrox club continued.

Light Blues chief executive Graham Wallace is set to slash costs at the Glasgow giants as he attempts to reduce significant monthly losses.

And supporters are concerned that Ally McCoist's players could be either offloaded or sent out on loan in order to drive down the wage bill.

Wallace has been the standout performer for the Gers throughout the 2013/14 campaign and is undoubtedly their most saleable asset. And former Scotland player Naysmith, who saw him in action when his East Fife team played at Ibrox on Saturday, believes clubs in England will be interested.

He said: "I think it is a coup for Rangers that they have managed to hold on to Lee given everything they have been through in the last couple of years.

"Fair play to him, he has stayed loyal to Rangers throughout it all and I think he deserves a lot of credit for that.

"I don't think he is too good to play for Rangers, but I do think he is too good to play in League One.

"If you have watched Rangers this season then, more times than not, he has been their best player.

"He is the full package. I can't think of a single negative thing to say about him. I think he could play in any league that he wanted to play in.

"It will also be a coup if Rangers manage to keep him in the January transfer window."

Rangers boss McCoist has spoken of his need to strengthen his existing squad further before they return to the SPFL Premiership.

He brought in eight new players in the summer and has seen his side go undefeated in League One as well as the Ramsdens Cup and the Scottish Cup.

But the Gers manager believes his side will need to undergo another "incredible transformation" once they get back into the top flight.

For he knows that Rangers fans will expect their team to challenge Old Firm rivals Celtic for the Scottish title on their return.

Naysmith believes Wallace can be a maintsay of a Premiership-challenging Rangers team - if they can retain his services.

He said: "I think he is a Rangers-type player. He would definitely have got a game in any of the great Rangers teams of the past.

"He is somebody Rangers can build their team around for years to come. But, as I say, they will be doing well to hold on to him."