MARK WARBURTON will only allow keeper Matt Gilks to quit Rangers if he can find a suitable replacement between the sticks.

The 34-year-old moved to Ibrox in the summer but has made just five appearances for the Light Blues so far this term.

The form of number one Wes Foderingham has made it difficult for Gilks to grab the Gers gloves but the former Scotland international has impressed when called upon.

Championship side Wigan Athletic have been credited with an interest in taking Gilks back to England after just half a season at Ibrox.

Midfielder Matt Crooks has already clinched a loan deal to Scunthorpe United as he bids for regular first team football in the coming months.

And Warburton insists he won’t leave himself short by sanctioning a switch if he can’t do a deal to replace Gilks in his squad.

He said: “There’s a club looking at Matt. He is an outstanding goalkeeper who trains so well every single day. He’s important to us.

“It’s no coincidence that Wes is playing at the level he’s playing. It’s because of the competition he’s receiving from Matt.

“Goalkeeper is a unique position. If you do change in your goalkeeper, you have to put him in for five or six games. You can’t put him in for one game and pull him out again.

“That’s a little bit different to the outfield players. Wes has been outstanding.

“So Matt has been frustrated but he trains so well every single day. He pushes every day and if he’s called upon he’ll be outstanding.

“As long as we have cover in place [we would let him go]. Our job is to make sure we have options available that we can access.

“What we can’t ever afford to do is leave ourselves short. We can’t have a player going out and leaving us exposed.

“So we have to make sure we have the targets lined up. People like Matt Crooks, Matt Gilks, they want to play football. That’s their job.”