Partick Thistle could make a bold move to sign Rangers midfielders Kyle Hutton and John Fleck on loan – if their move to Sheffield United cannot be revived.

The Ibrox youngsters were told by boss Ally McCoist that they were free to leave the club on a temporary basis in search of first-team football.

It was reported that Sheffield United had completed deals late on Wednesday night which would have the pair move to Bramall Lane until the end of the season, but the League One club failed to complete the necessary paperwork in time.

While clubs outside the Premiership are permitted to sign players on loan after the close of the transfer window, there are no provisions in place for cross-border deals, meaning Hutton and Fleck must now either move to a club in the SFL or remain with Rangers until the transfer window reopens on January 1.

Under SFL rules, clubs are allowed to sign players on a 93-day "emergency loan" and SportTimes understands Thistle are interested in acquiring the Ibrox duo.

With their prospects of first-team football seemingly limited in the coming months, McCoist was eager for Hutton and Fleck to get some game time under their belts elsewhere.

Thistle are keen to recruit the Scotland Under-21 internationalists, but any possible deal depends on whether the switch to United can yet be completed, with the Jags forced to wait until that situation is concluded before finding out if they are able to enter discussions with the champions over a possible audacious double swoop.