Ipswich Town 0Glasgow Rangers 2BLUES assistant manager Willie Donachie is keen to keep both the triallists that featured in last night's 2-0 defeat by Rangers at Portman Road.

By Derek Davis

Ipswich Town 0

Glasgow Rangers 2

BLUES assistant manager Willie Donachie is keen to keep both the triallists that featured in last night's 2-0 defeat by Rangers at Portman Road.

A decision will be taken today on whether to keep Frenchman Edwin Ouon and Angolan Rui Marques but Donachie would like to see more of them.

He also revealed that Town had looked at signing Rangers right-back Maurice Ross but finances have ruled out any possibility of bringing the Scottish youngster to Portman Road.

Right back Ross would cost around £200,000 and his wages could also prove too much.

Ross recently turned down a move to Paul Sturrock's Sheffield Wednesday after failing to agree personal terms.

Donachie said: “Maurice is a player we have looked at but finances dictate here at Ipswich that it would not be possible."

Finances may also dictate whether Town take a longer look at the duo who played last night.

He said: “It is down to Joe (Royle) the board and agents but I would like to keep them. I have seen quite a few worse triallists do a lot worse.

“They both looked decent players with good experience but it is hard to judge after one training session and one game.”

Rangers manager Alex McLeish took away more fond memories of Portman Road, 24 years after knocking Town out of the UEFA Cup as an Aberdeen player.

He said: “I remember that night well and we got a draw and then 3-1 to go through. I was a young player then but that game is etched in my memory.

“The place has changed. It is a wonderful stadium and the Ipswich supporters were fantastic and, with the Rangers following, it made for a great atmosphere.”

McLeish was delighted with the work-out given to his players by Ipswich and the way his two strikers took their goals.

He said: “We certainly moved up another level in terms of fitness and most players got on.

“Peter (Lovenkrands) took his goal very well, he has a knack of ghosting into the box and he never misses an unchallenged header.

“It was a great ball by Nacho (Novo) and he took his goal very well so all in all it was a good night.”