Russell Latapy was released by Rangers

Former Rangers midfielder Russell Latapy is close to securing a deal with Dundee United.

Latapy has been on trial at Tannadice since Friday and United manager Ian McCall is confident of signing the 34-year-old.

Last Wednesday the player rejected a firm offer from English Second Division club Bristol City in favour of trying to prove his fitness on Tayside.

Latapy had originally been due to begin training with United on Tuesday but failed to turn up after being offered a deal at Ashton Gate.

However, the at times controversial former Trinidad and Tobago international had all along stated that his preference was to stay in Scotland.

McCall is keen to boost his squad after the poor performance in Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Aberdeen and free agent Latapy could sign straight away.

McCall told The Scottish Sun newspaper: "We are still in with a chance of signing Russell Latapy and if we are successful he will add much needed quality to the squad.

Hopefully we can come to an agreement Dundee United boss Ian McCall

"He has impressed me in training and his fitness levels are reasonable - hopefully we can come to an agreement."

Latapy, who was released by Rangers in January, had been offered training facilities with United and Kilmarnock.

But the cash-strapped Ayrshire club were unlikely to be able to match his wage demands.

The former Porto midfielder only featured in a handful of games for Rangers this season and was allowed to leave Ibrox before his terms expired in the summer.

The tricky midfielder enjoyed better times at Hibernian, where he was instrumental in gaining the club promotion back to the SPL in 1999 and helped to secure a third-place finish for the Edinburgh side two seasons ago.

However, his final days at Hibs were marred by off-field problems that led to him being dropped from the squad just days before the Scottish Cup final against Celtic.

His playmaking skills prompted then Rangers manager Dick Advocaat to recruit him on a free transfer for the 2001-2002 campaign.

He also left Rangers under a cloud over nightclub antics with friend and Blackburn Rovers striker Dwight Yorke.