‘Fantastic’ striker set for third-tier transfer after manager backed him for Rangers move

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Rangers decided not to bite on a move for Livingston striker Joel Nouble and he is now on the verge of signing for third-tier Exeter City in England.

Rangers were in the market for strikers over the summer but question marks surround Michael Beale’s choices.

Cyriel Dessers continues to divide opinion, Danilo is out injured and Sam Lammers has already been sent packing to Utrecht.

Philippe Clement has landed a new striker himself in Fabio Silva, but he is only on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Rangers will have other strikers in mind either for now or the summer but one name we can surely cross off once and for all is Joel Nouble…

Joel Nouble heading to Exeter City after strange Rangers suggestion

It’s not often you see managers so actively marketing their strikers.

Livingston boss David Martindale took that step though, regularly touting Nouble for a move elsewhere.

Nouble hit seven goals in 30 league games last season and Martindale hailed him as a ‘fantastic talent’ whilst suggesting that he would be ideal for Rangers.

We never really bought into that; Nouble is certainly a handful at 6ft 4in tall but he has never really been a prolific goalscorer – even in England’s non-league system.

Five goals in 31 games at Aldershot Town, four games in 37 games at Thurrock… we can appreciate Nouble’s physical style but we just never saw him as a striker to make a difference at Rangers.

Nouble hasn’t really impressed this season either and is goalless in 20 Scottish Premiership appearances, so Rangers were never going to bite this month despite Martindale’s suggestions.

The 28-year-old is now poised to leave Livingston though as the Daily Record claim that Nouble is nearing a move to English side Exeter City.

Managed by former Scotland international Gary Caldwell, Exeter sit 20th in League One and are trying to pull away from the relegation zone.

Nouble is out of contract at the end of the season and the Grecians are now attempting to get a deal over the line.

A move to the bottom end of League One makes much more sense than Martindale’s Rangers recommendation and any suggestion of a move to Ibrox can finally be put to bed.