DORIN GOIAN will strengthen the Rangers defence if he is forced to return to Scotland – despite his well-publicised problems in Italy.

That was the prediction from Gers great Lorenzo Amoruso today as it emerged Serie B club Spezia may be set to offload the centre-half.

The Romanian was red-carded for man-handling referee Maurizio Ciampi in a 3-2 defeat to Juve Stabia earlier this month. Goian was handed a four- game ban by the Italian Football Federation for the offence as it the second time he has been ordered off this season.

And Spezia sporting director Nelso Ricci, whose club is struggling mid-table, has since slated his performances since arriving from Glasgow on a season-long loan deal.

But former Bari and Fiorentina star Amoruso reckons the 31-year-old, who became a huge favourite with Light Blues fans last season, is not to blame for his club's difficulties.

And he reckons the 6ft 5in stopper would still be a huge asset to Rangers boss Ally McCoist in his bid to win promotion from the Irn-Bru Third Division.

He said: "I remember Dorin well from his time with Palermo. He is a very good player. I think Rangers fans saw that last season.

"Spezia have not been doing very well this season. They have spent a lot of money, but are not even close to the top of the league table.

"There appear to be a lot of problems at the club."

Amoruso, now working as a football pundit for Italian radio and trying to break into management, feels Goian will be ready to play in the Third Division.

He said: "The football in Serie B is a good standard. I would compare it to the Championship in England. So Goian will have been playing at a good level.

"So, if he has to go and play for Rangers in the Third Division, I think he will be fine."

Goian left Rangers for Spezia on loan back in August after the Ibrox club was forced to restart in the bottom tier.

The stopper was a high earner and Gers boss McCoist recently revealed wages at the Glasgow club currently account for just 26 per cent of turnover.

His agent Florin Manea confirmed the player will return to Glasgow – if his arrangement is torn up by Spezia.

He said: "Even if Dorin has been disappointing, I don't think it should have come to this.

"Things like this happen in football, but it seems very harsh to terminate his contract for being sent off."