Rangers: Maurice Edu and Alejandro Bedoya closer to exit

United States midfielders Maurice Edu and Alejandro Bedoya are unlikely to play for Rangers again, manager Ally McCoist has indicated.

And McCoist also believes that USA captain Carlos Bocanegra will also leave Ibrox now that Rangers are in Division Three.

Rangers host East Fife in the Scottish Communities League Cup first round.

"Edu and Bedoya are not in the squad due to the fact that they want to leave," McCoist told the club website.

"I am not daft enough to think that a few of those who came back won't still leave.

"All I have asked them is that, if they are going to do that, could they do it as quickly as possible in the respect of the club and the team moving forward."

Bocanegra in action for Rangers during their 2-1 win over Brechin

Northern Ireland internationals Steven Davis and Kyle Lafferty, plus Scotland's Steven Naismith, Allan McGregor and Steven Whittaker, decided against switching their contracts after the old Rangers company headed for liquidation.

Bocanegra has remained, but the central defender's hopes of leading his country to the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 will not be helped by playing outside of Scotland's top flight.

Strikers Kevin Kyle and Francisco Sandaza are vying to make their debuts against East Fife after signing contracts at Ibrox.

The game might come too soon for Emilson Cribari in terms of match fitness after the Brazilian was also added to McCoist's squad.

Fellow defender Ross Perry misses out again with a calf problem, but young midfielders Chris Hegarty and Andy Mitchell return to the squad after registration red tape.

Rangers began their season with a debut in the Ramsdens Cup, beating Brechin City 2-1, and now face the side managed by former Ibrox striker Gordon Durie.

"We have done it as professionally as we normally do," said McCoist.

"We have had them watched a couple of times, so we have done our homework.

"It's the first home game and we are really looking forward to it.

"A couple of the younger boys haven't played at Ibrox, so we had some training there to give them a feel for it and see the park."