Russell Martin breaks silence on Jayden Meghoma transfer and Jefte's big money Rangers exit

The Light Blues are set to make a tidy profit on Jefte's switch to Palmerias and they've already got a replacement sorted

Russell Martin hopes Rangers will finalise a loan swoop for 'top talent' Jayden Meghoma after admitting Jefte is close to a big money move out now Ibrox.

Brentford teen Meghoma is expected to complete a move to Govan to help solve the problem left back area with Jefte set to join Palmeiras in a £6m deal.

Martin, who watched his side huff and puff to a 4-2 Premier Sports Cup win over Alloa, handed the England U-19 international his first team debut at Southampton before he moved to Brentford for £5m last summer.

Meghoma made four appearances for Brentford before moving on loan to Preston in January. Now he looks set for Ibrox.

And Martin said: "Jefte was in yesterday (Friday), and then by yesterday evening, he's maybe not going to be here moving forward because it's a good deal for him and the club.

“So we'll see what happens over the next couple of days with that. We have to be ready to replace him, and we always have been ready.

“So Jayden, a player we know from Southampton, spent a year with us as a young boy, training every day, understands the work, top talent, plays for England at all the youth levels.

“Brentford signed him for a lot of money for a teenager, and he went on loan last year in the Championship did really well.

“So he's a player we know and like, and hopefully at some point he'll be a Rangers player and you'll know that when he is.”

Gers were made to sweat by the part-timers before finally sealing a 4-2 win and progression into the Premier Sports Cup quarter final with Findlay Curtis’ 90th minute strike

Martin sent out an experimental side ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League blockbuster against Club Brugge with Mikey Moore handed a debut.

But they were made to wait to the 90th minute to secure the win as goals from Nedim Bajrami, Manny Fernandez, James Tavernier’s penalty and Findlay Curtis’ late strike barely camouflaged another afternoon where Martin’s men toiled.

Martin handed a competitive debut off the bench to Thelo Aasgaard while Hamza Igamane also returned from injury as a second half sub and impressed.

Martin said Tuesday would be too soon to start either. On Igamane, Martin added: “I really liked Hamza's energy when he came on. He can do things that other players can't.

“Sometimes he looks a bit mad - like when he tries to nutmeg the boy.

“So if we can get him to make decisions a bit more consistently, I think he'll really help us.

“He wants to express himself, he wants to play. There's never a problem making a mistake as long as the reaction is really, really good.

“And that's the one thing I'd say today. After a couple of wobbly moments, the guys really reacted well.”