The USA midfielder held talks over his future with the Gers gaffer yesterday, and is believed to have explained that he feels he must move on for the sake of his career and also to safeguard his place in the national set-up.

The 26-year-old, who arrived from FC Toronto four years ago for £2.7million, is still waiting for a concrete offer after a proposed move to Spanish side Valencia fell through.

Edu, who has a £300,000 release clause in his contract, is attracting attention from Italian side Sampdoria and French outfit Valenciennes and will now instruct his agent to step up moves to land him an exit from the Third Division side. McCoist also held talks with Edu's countryman Carlos Bocanegra, Kirk Broadfoot and Dorin Goian, who remain on heavy wages at the club.

All three said they would be happy to stay – but couldn't rule out leaving in the transfer window if offers came in that they fancied.

Alejandro Bedoya has returned to Ibrox, but he too could be on the move soon.

The American was set for a move to Helsingborgs but that has stalled after the Swedish side saw the sale of one of their players fall through.

Meantime, Algerian midfielder Salim Kerkar, who had been training with the Light Blues last month after his contract expired, has joined Charlton.

* Rangers will not participate in the new SPL Under-20 league next season.

SFA performance director Mark Wotte had gone on record recently stating his hope that the Ibrox side would still have a team in the division.

However, Hamilton, Falkirk and Dunfermline have joined the new 15-club set-up, with one side having a free weekend in each round of fixtures.