Rangers manager Ally McCoist has said that he is hopeful that a deal to sign former Ibrox striker Daniel Cousin can be finalised.

McCoist confirmed that he had spoken at length with the player over the last few days.

Cousin has recently appeared for Gabon at the Africa Cup of Nations and McCoist said that he had seen the player’s performances and hoped to add him to his squad.

The 35-year-old is a free agent after a short-term deal at FC Sapins came to an end before the Cup of Nations and McCoist said that Cousin did not anticipate any problems in receiving the international clearance to make a move.

"He is very keen to come and it goes without saying it's a department we need to strengthen," the manager said. "So we are hopeful we can get things finalised and get him over here.

"But at this moment in time we have not heard back from the Gabon FA and I know the boys at the SFA have been trying to contact them as well.

"Certainly we have to get total clarification as to when his contract ended.

"But after speaking to his agent and Daniel himself they don't see any problems in that situation at all.

"But, of course, we do need total clarification to see whether he can come and sign.

The Rangers boss said that he remembered Cousin fondly from his previous spell at the club and highlighted his last match, against Celtic, as one of the best of his year long stint at Ibrox.

"I always got on well with Daniel,” McCoist said.

“If you nursed him and coached him then there is a real player in there."

"I thought that Daniel was outstanding in his last game for Rangers, perhaps one of his best games at the club."