Steve Lomas was disappointed to learn he he hasn’t managed to lure Fran Sandaza back to St Johnstone.
The Saints boss, who was in talks with the Spaniard about a return to Perth during the summer, was reacting to the news that the one-time Dundee United and Brighton striker is heading for Rangers, although he wasn’t entirely shocked.
And he’s backed last season’s top scorer to take the Third Division by storm.
”We’d love to have brought Fran back but he was always honest enough to say he hadn’t made much money out of football so maybe this move shouldn’t come as a surprise,” he commented.
”The money seems to be good and he will be getting the financial security he wanted. But in a way I am surprised because it will be Third Division football for Fran, despite Rangers still being a big club.
”He will be a class apart from most players at that level. But the deal must have been the one he felt was best for him.”
Rangers boss Ally McCoist confirmed they are close to completing a four-year deal for Sandaza, with the move expected to be done and dusted before the club’s first Third Division game against Peterhead on Saturday.
The Light Blues boss said: ”I’m hopeful there will be a deal done very, very soon.
”The best way to put it is that Francisco hasn’t signed yet but we are very keen to get him. The agent and our representatives have been in discussions over the weekend and I’d be hopeful he’d be signing soon.”