Ryan to link up with Rangers

Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Mathew Ryan is set to trial with Rangers next week after injury delayed the move.

Ryan, 20, saw his trial with the 54-time Scottish league champions postponed after injuring his shoulder in the Mariners’ 2-0 win over the Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday.

But despite Central Coast saying the trial had been ‘indefinitely postponed’, Ryan will fly to Glasgow and join up with the third division side on Monday.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist said he had received nothing but positive reports about Ryan, including from Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson.

“We’ve been informed Mat has had to go for a scan after a small injury last weekend and we’re hopeful things have just been put back a week,” McCoist told the club’s website.

“I’ve been told by his representatives he’ll be due to arrive in Scotland on Sunday night or Monday.

“We’ve watched videos of him and I’ve spoken to Fergie over at Perth Glory about him along with one or two of the boys in Australia.

“He’s had nothing but glowing reports. He’s a young goalkeeper with huge potential and I look forward to seeing him.”

Rangers are unable to sign players until September after being handed a transfer ban for going into liquidation.

Former Socceroo Mark Bosnich has criticised two-time Australia international Ryan’s potential move to Rangers, saying it was ‘absolutely ridiculous’ for him to leave during the A-League season.

Ryan is expected to face Melbourne Victory in Tasmania on Saturday and – if fit – fly out to Scotland.

His Mariners team-mate Tom Rogic has also attracted interest from abroad and is set to join Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic for a training camp in Spain while he serves a suspension.