Rangers pull off striker coup
Stafford Rangers have pulled off a coup on the eve of their Blue Square Premier opener at Farsley by signing striker David McNiven from Morecambe.
Manager Phil Robinson is believed to have snapped up McNiven from under the noses of rivals Halifax Town.
The Shaymen were favourites to add the 29-year-old to their ranks, but Rangers beat them to it.
The move follows an electrifying loan period by McNiven at Marston Road last season when he scored eight goals in nine games, including the only hat-trick by a Rangers player.
His goals made a massive contribution to keeping Rangers away from relegation.
And Robinson has further beefed up his squad with the acquisition of keeper Robert Duggan.
The 20-year-old was released by Stoke City during the summer, having spent the final three months of last season on loan with Rangers, covering for the injured Danny Alcock.
Duggan is the second loan player to join on a permanent basis after Richie Sutton's move, and they will be accompanied by manager Phil Robinson's eight other new boys to travel to Leeds tomorrow.
Vying for places will be Djoumin Sangare, Chris Flynn, Dave Wood, Tom Ingram, Ross Draper, Ramon Manak, Marco Adaggio and Greg Stones.
Missing from the line-up though will be full back Nathan Talbott, who is recovering from a hip injury.
Tomorrow's Celtic v Rangers opener pits Robinson's new-look team against last season's surprise packets, Leeds-based Farsley, managed by former Walsall, Watford and Palace defender Lee Sinnott.
Celtic came through the Nationwide North play-offs to reach the Blue Square Premier and are proposing to change their name next year to FC Leeds.
Robinson said: "It's probably not the best time to be playing a newly-promoted team because the excitement of it all can spur you on and we will have to try and counteract that.
"Farsley have had a fantastic pre-season, so we know they are a strong team.
"But this is an exciting time for us, there have been some major changes in the squad.
"It may take a little while for the team to gel together."
Rangers (from): Alcock, Sutton, Daniel, McAughtrie, Sangare, Stones, Flynn, Street, Manak, Grayson, Adaggio, Olaoye, Ingram, Wood, Richards, Draper, Robinson, Oldfield, Hopkinson.
