ALLY McCoist will be getting four players in one for Rangers if he succeeds in signing Don Cowie this week.

That was the verdict of former Cardiff City coach Joe McBride Jnr today as the Gers closed in on their latest target.

As was revealed in SportTimes last month, McCoist is keen to land 10-times capped Scotland midfielder Cowie.

The 31-year-old is a free agent after his contract with the Bluebirds expired at the end of the season.

City have offered the player a new deal and he is also interesting their Sky Bet Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers.

However, the chance to return to his homeland and join the Ibrox club is believed to be interesting Inverness-born Cowie.

And McCoist is keen to have the player in his squad when they head to the Highlands for their pre-season tour later on this week.

McBride worked with him at Watford and Cardiff, where he was first-team coach under Malky Mackay, and rated him very highly.

The former Everton winger believes it would be a shrewd acquisition by the SPFL League One champions - due to his astonishing fitness levels and versatility.

McBride said: "Don is probably the fittest guy that I have ever seen in the game. He is an immaculate professional.

"He trains hard every day and lifts the whole session with his enthusiasm. He does everything at full tilt in training and in games. He is just a consummate professional.

"Age is not an issue with Don Cowie. He has the lowest body fat of any player I have ever seen and he was always first in all of the bleep tests."

Cowie is primarily a central midfielder - but McBride revealed he can perform effectively in a variety of different positions across the park.

He added: "As well as being fit, Don can also play a bit as well. He is a very neat and tidy player. He has got a nice first touch. He gives and he goes.

"Don can play in central midfield and he can also do a job for the team in wider areas. He can play at the front of a diamond.

"He even played at right-back for us on a few occasions.

"If you ask him, I think he would prefer to be in the centre. He can really get about the park there and hunt the ball down.

"You don't play at the level he has against the opposition he has without being able to play a bit and he can certainly handle himself."

Rangers boss McCoist has drafted in Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller and Darren McGregor in the close season to help with the push for the Championship title.

And McBride, the son of the legendary Celtic striker of the same name, believes Cowie's experience would help their promotion bid greatly.

He said: "Don would bring Barclays Premier League experience with him if he signed for Rangers.

"He played in the Premier League for a season with Cardiff. Sure, he was not involved in every game, but he played in some of the bigger matches.

"He came on in the win over Manchester City on the opening day of the season and also played in the draw with Manchester United.

"I know there are a lot of clubs down in England interested in him and I know he has enjoyed his time down south.

"But he has got a young family so maybe he is keen to get back to Scotland.

"On top of everything, Don is a top, top guy. I think he would be a great signing if Rangers were to get him."