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Rangers star Andy Halliday is set to complete a shock loan move to Azerbaijan after being axed by Pedro Caixinha from his Europa League squad.

The Ibrox midfielder has wasted no time in finding himself a new club after lining up a move to FK Gabala.

The team, who finished second in the Azerbaijan Premier League last season, were once bossed by Tony Adams and will enter the Europa League at qualifying round two.

(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)

Halliday was one of five top-team stars left out by new boss Caixinha and effectively told they have no future at Ibrox.

He could now look to resurrect his career by the Caspian Sea with a season-long loan deal.

Halliday, 25, could even travel to Gabala’s training camp in the Alps today as they prepare for their forthcoming ties against Polish outfit Jagiellonia Bialystok or Dinamo Batumi from Georgia.

Halliday, Rob Kiernan, Matt Crooks, Harry Forrester, Joe Dodoo and Michael O’Halloran were all left off the list of players submitted to UEFA for Thursday’s clash against Progres Niederkorn.

St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright has offered O’Halloran a Europa League lifeline, but Perth sources say it’s ‘doubtful’ he will be signed as a wildcard in the next 24 hours, in time to face Lithuanians FK Trakai.

Indeed, Rangers may prefer to sell O’Halloran outright as they bid to recoup some of the £500,000 they forked out to land the player from Saints just 18 months ago.

(Image: SNS)

They are likely to land a more sizeable fee if they push him towards England, where the costs of a loan deal may be more easily covered.

But Wright has not given up the hope of landing the forward, possibly in time to face Swedes IFK Norrkoping or FC Prishtina from Kosovo if Saints make it to the second qualifying round.

(Image: SNS Group)

Wright said: “We’ve enquired about Michael but it is very much in Rangers’ hands.”

Caixinha wants a squad clearout of several of the players he inherited from Mark Warburton after signing eight new recruits in recent weeks.

He’s keen to strengthen still further and Rangers have made moves to land Graham Dorrans, Kenny McLean and Jamie Walker.

Meanwhile, Gers have confirmed Thursday’s clash against Niederkorn is a 50,000 sellout. Fans will hope to catch a first glimpse of the recent arrivals but Bruno Alves will not feature as he is on Confederations Cup duty with Portugal.

Compatriot Daniel Candeias also misses out after his registration papers from Alanyaspor failed to arrive in time for the qualifier.