THEY have both tasted success in the maroon half of Edinburgh, now they could be set to star in the blue side of Glasgow.

Craig Beattie and Ian Black proved instrumental for Hearts as they wrote their names in the Tynecastle history books back in May with the 5-1 derby defeat of Hibs a moment to savour for the Gorgie faithful, but they could soon sign up for a chance to immortalise themselves in light blue.

When the former Jambos duo next take to the field, the competition could be a lot less glamorous, the opposition less daunting and the surroundings less salubrious than that afternoon at Hampden.

Beattie and Black have begun training with Rangers with a view to agreeing deals that would take them from the Scottish Premier League to the Irn-Bru Third Division as Ally McCoist's side embark on the long road back to the top of the Scottish game.

The English football leagues appeared the likely destination for both at the end of their Hearts contracts this summer, but former Ibrox striker Billy Dodds reckons Beattie and Black would prove to be the standout stars for McCoist's men in the bottom tier.

"You saw the impact Beattie made last year when he signed for Hearts," Dodds said.

"I know Gordon Chisholm phoned Ally last year, he is pally with him from his Sunderland days, and said that Beattie was available. At that point, for whatever reason, Rangers didn't take him on board.

"Maybe they thought they didn't need him at that point. He had a great six months with Hearts and did really well. He would be a great signing for them now. Beattie has proven he can score goals and Black was a big player for Hearts.

"If he can control his temperament, I think he can be a top player.

"I thought he would have gone to England this summer, whether the Championship or League One, and I thought Beattie would get a big move as well.

"If Rangers could sign them it would be two terrific bits of business. I think it is a major coup."

Even if the former Hearts pair do come on board for the new season, which starts on Sunday at Brechin in the Ramsdens Cup, McCoist still has plenty of work to do before he has a squad capable of seeing the club through successive title triumphs on the road back to the SPL.

His skeleton squad has only a handful of experienced options, with a lack of strikers perhaps the most alarming aspect for the Ibrox manager.

He has seen Nikica Jelavic, Steven Naismith, Kyle Lafferty, David Healy and Sone Aluko all head for the exit door in recent months as his attacking arsenal has been decimated.

And former Ibrox forward Dodds reckons the Gers boss will be keen to add a handful of new faces to bolster his threadbare pack.

He said: "He will probably want to work with a squad of around 20 players.

"I looked at their teams in the closed-door games and I think they had enough there.

"Just to make sure that they are going to win the league, a couple more players could be brought in.

"It is a given for me that they will win the Third Division, but some people have had doubts about the squad and whether the young boys can handle it. Adding SPL quality players will win them the league.

"I think they have got enough to win the Third and Second Divisions already."

If McCoist can seal the deal with Beattie and Black, it would represent a huge step forward for the Rangers boss as he attempts to rebuild his thin squad.

Many hurdles lie in Rangers' path on the road to recovery, with an SFA registration embargo and the transfer of their membership from the old company to Sevco Scotland Ltd still to be ratified.

Uncertainty has plagued the Light Blues throughout the sorry saga that has seen them placed in the Third Division but, as McCoist sets about leading them to a more prosperous future, Beattie and Black appear willing to accept the challenge.

Both men have the attributes to help Rangers get the job done in the lower leagues, with both up for the physical rigours of SFL encounters.

In their 140th year, the Gers have reached perhaps their lowest ebb but Dodds insists the lure of starring at Ibrox remains too good an opportunity to spurn for players.

Dodds, who scored over 30 goals for Rangers, said: "They are obviously joining because of the club and the chance to be a Rangers player. They wouldn't be in the Third Division for any other club. Rangers have done well to attract those two.

"There is no doubt they are joining the club just because it is Rangers.

"They are taking a gamble dropping down into the Third Division but it will be the biggest club they will play for, even though they are in the Third Division. Rangers have done well to get them. I think that type of player is what Rangers need to make sure they get through the leagues.

"They have to make sure their squad is big enough to see them for a couple of years and get them through the Third and Second Divisions.

"They are difficult leagues but those players, if Rangers can tie them down on long-term contracts, will be enough to get them through."