Blackburn Rovers failed with a late bid to trump Rangers for Stoke City striker James Beattie.
The Daily Mail says the Potters last night kicked out a last-gasp Blackburn bid to hijack Beattie's move to Rangers.
A former Ewood Park striker, the 32-year-old is set to seal a £1.5million switch to Ibrox today - becoming the club's first new signing in two years. Rangers will get their man despite Sam Allardyce making a late attempt to take the unhappy Stoke star back to his first professional club.
Unwilling to sell Beattie to another Premiership club, Stoke boss Tony Pullis kicked the late intervention into touch. It leaves the way clear for Walter Smith to complete his second deal of the day.
Earlier, Scotland star Lee McCulloch handed Smith and the club a boost when he ended doubts over his future by committing to a new two-year contract.
