Goalkeeper Ryan training with Rangers

Central Coast goalkeeper Mathew Ryan will head overseas on Monday to train with Rangers in a bid to be signed by the club next September.

Ryan will train with Rangers for 10 days to familiarise himself with Glasgow and the club, although the move cannot officially be called a trial as fourth division Rangers are embargoed from signing new players until September 1 under the terms of last year’s liquidation.

Having represented Australia during the recent East Asian Cup qualifiers, Ryan has attracted interest from Derby and other European clubs, but the 20-year-old appears to be leaning towards the fallen Scottish giants after Mariners football manager Lawrie McKinna arranged for the move with Rangers’ boss Ally McCoist.

“I was in Scotland over Christmas spoke with Ally McCoist about Mathew Ryan,” said McKinna.

“It is a credit to Mat and to our club that Ally was well aware of Mat’s ability and potential and immediately offered for him to join Rangers for a training spell.

“Mat is eager to take up the opportunity and we are sure he will learn a lot from the experience.”

Ryan currently has three months remaining on his current contract with Central Coast and along with fellow youngster Tom Rogic, has been linked with moves away from the Hyundai A-League in a bid to help ease some of the debts the Mariners currently have.