Fleck and Wilson have come through the ranks at Rangers

Manager Walter Smith expects Danny Wilson and John Fleck to leave Rangers after both turned down new deals.

The two 18-year-olds both have 18 months left on their current contracts.

Wilson has regularly deputised for Madjid Bougherra in defence this season, while forward Fleck's first-team opportunities have been limited.

"It's disappointing that they've turned down new contracts, but that's the world we live in at the moment," Smith told Rangers' official website.

"Could things change on that front? It certainly doesn't look like it. The disappointing aspect is that contractual aspects for 18-year-olds have been placed before careers.

The 18-year-olds were offered lucrative new contracts but have been advised by their agents to turn those down and look to further their careers down south Rangers statement

"I've not had any conversations with the players' agents to find out their reasons for turning down the deals.

"But it's quite straightforward. They've turned it down, so they must see an opportunity elsewhere which would probably need to be down in England, I would imagine."

Fleck made his first-team debut as a 16-year-old in a Scottish Cup win against East Stirlingshire early in 2008, while Wilson's first-team breakthrough came in October in a League Cup triumph over Dundee.

Since then, Wilson has featured in Champions League matches against Unirea Urziceni and VfB Stuttgart.

The pair have previously been linked with moves to Premier League clubs in England.

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Rangers say the duo "were offered lucrative new contracts but have been advised by their agents to turn those down and look to further their careers down south".

Should both the players see out their current deals before leaving, transfer regulations would dictate that Rangers would still be entitled to a fee for each player as they will both be under the age of 23.

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