Rangers manager Walter Smith has insisted FIFA's timing could not be any worse as the transfer saga surrounding Daniel Cousin's protracted move to Fulham finally looks set to come to an end.
The 31-year-old striker will learn on Wednesday whether his £3million switch to the English Premier League will be given the go-ahead - on the same day Rangers prepare to face Panathinaikos in the UEFA Cup.
Rangers and Fulham struck a deal back on January 22 but require special dispensation for the transfer to be completed because Cousin has also played for Lens this term and regulations forbid a player from appearing for more than two clubs in one season.
The lengthy wait for a decision has left both teams in limbo, with Rangers reluctant to make use of the Gabon international even though he remains on their books for the time being.
Cousin would have been the ideal replacement for the suspended Jean-Claude Darcheville against Panathinaikos, but Smith said the timing of the judgement will probably force him to leave the striker out of his plans in case the move to Fulham is given the green light.
He said: "Even the date in getting a resolution to the problem has been an awkward one.
"From our own point of view, it's rather awkward in the sense that, depending on when it happens tomorrow, it affects his availability for the game tomorrow night. We'll just have to wait and see.
"I have to prepare for the game, which we will do this afternoon and tomorrow, so it makes it an awkward situation as far as we are concerned.
"If it had happened today or on Thursday then we wouldn't have the problems on the day when we are meant to be playing, which is the worst aspect of it.
"If we did choose him and then found out he had been transferred to Fulham, it's a bit unfair to use him in those circumstances.
"We have been thinking of using him over the last few games and we have left him out so it would look as though, at this stage, he will miss the match for that reason."
Pana coach Jose Peseiro expects his team to come out on top at Ibrox on Wednesday.
He said: "Every coach goes in to games wanting to win and I expect to win.
"It will be a difficult game and I respect Rangers. We have done some scouting and I have watched four or five games. I have seen Rangers play very well in the first stage of the Champions League.
"But despite the quality of the players and the coach we believe it is possible to win here."
The Greek title challengers swept aside another Scottish side, Aberdeen, 3-0 in Athens earlier in the campaign but Peseiro expects a far tougher challenge on Wednesday.
He said: "Rangers are in first place in the league. We have done some scouting and yes, Rangers are a better team.
"When we think about football in Scotland or England we think about the long passes.
"But Rangers also have the capability to fight and they have strength in their game."
Both teams sit top of their respective domestic leagues but Peseiro says the focus will be firmly on the UEFA Cup on Wednesday.
He said: "The priority now is the UEFA Cup and it will be the same for Rangers. We will think about the Greek league after this game."
Rangers and Fulham struck a deal back on January 22 but require special dispensation for the transfer to be completed because Cousin has also played for Lens this term and regulations forbid a player from appearing for more than two clubs in one season.
The lengthy wait for a decision has left both teams in limbo, with Rangers reluctant to make use of the Gabon international even though he remains on their books for the time being.
Cousin would have been the ideal replacement for the suspended Jean-Claude Darcheville against Panathinaikos, but Smith said the timing of the judgement will probably force him to leave the striker out of his plans in case the move to Fulham is given the green light.
He said: "Even the date in getting a resolution to the problem has been an awkward one.
"From our own point of view, it's rather awkward in the sense that, depending on when it happens tomorrow, it affects his availability for the game tomorrow night. We'll just have to wait and see.
"I have to prepare for the game, which we will do this afternoon and tomorrow, so it makes it an awkward situation as far as we are concerned.
"If it had happened today or on Thursday then we wouldn't have the problems on the day when we are meant to be playing, which is the worst aspect of it.
"If we did choose him and then found out he had been transferred to Fulham, it's a bit unfair to use him in those circumstances.
"We have been thinking of using him over the last few games and we have left him out so it would look as though, at this stage, he will miss the match for that reason."
Pana coach Jose Peseiro expects his team to come out on top at Ibrox on Wednesday.
He said: "Every coach goes in to games wanting to win and I expect to win.
"It will be a difficult game and I respect Rangers. We have done some scouting and I have watched four or five games. I have seen Rangers play very well in the first stage of the Champions League.
"But despite the quality of the players and the coach we believe it is possible to win here."
The Greek title challengers swept aside another Scottish side, Aberdeen, 3-0 in Athens earlier in the campaign but Peseiro expects a far tougher challenge on Wednesday.
He said: "Rangers are in first place in the league. We have done some scouting and yes, Rangers are a better team.
"When we think about football in Scotland or England we think about the long passes.
"But Rangers also have the capability to fight and they have strength in their game."
Both teams sit top of their respective domestic leagues but Peseiro says the focus will be firmly on the UEFA Cup on Wednesday.
He said: "The priority now is the UEFA Cup and it will be the same for Rangers. We will think about the Greek league after this game."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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