Rangers re-sign midfielder
Stafford Rangers have signed Alex Gibson from Droylsden to strengthen their Blue Square Premier survival bid.
Stafford Rangers have signed Alex Gibson from Droylsden to strengthen their Blue Square Premier survival bid.
Midfielder Gibson has joined for Rangers for the third time and schemer has been welcomed by caretaker-boss Neil Grayson as the club take their battle to escape the drop to Halifax this Saturday.
"He's a very good utility player. We're not taking a risk signing him because we know what he can do," he said.
As Gibson rejoined the Marston Road outfit, winger Seb Hamilton has left Rangers after just one full game and a handful of substitute appearances for the club.
Grayson, meanwhile has challenged his side to go all the way in the FA Trophy after they reached the last 16 in this afternoon's draw.
Rangers booked their place with a 2-1 win over Blue Square Premier rivals Forest Green on Saturday to end a run of five successive defeats.
"We're into the last 16 of the Trophy and it's down to the sharp end. I've told the lads there's Wembley at the end of it," said Grayson.
"That opportunity doesn't come around very often and at our level, this is the best chance they've got."
Grayson insists his side have no one to fear, adding: "We've played some of the league's top teams in the last few weeks, like Burton and Stevenage, and done really well, so I don't think we should fear anyone. We will take whatever comes in the draw."
Grayson was delighted to give Rangers fans their first home win over Blue Square Premier opposition this season, albeit in a knockout.
He added: "It's nice that we finally got from our performance the reward it deserved. In the first half I thought we were outstanding, we put them under a lot of pressure and created some good chances.
"They tried to play offside at the free kick and Ross (Draper) got in, which is nothing more than he deserved – he was definitely the man of the match. And our back four were outstanding to keep Stuart Fleetwood relatively quiet."
Fleetwood, scorer of 31 goals this season, is the reported target of several Championship teams, while League One sides Cheltenham and Gillingham have already had big money bids turned down.
