The passion of Boyd and Novo will be absent from Ibrox next season

Rangers manager Walter Smith is looking forward to bringing in some new signings but admits it will be tough to replace Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo.

The strike duo are two of six Ibrox players out of contract this summer.

"It's not an easy thing with the financial constraints to find forwards to replace them," said Smith.

"We will have change in the squad for the first time in a couple of years, but hopefully we can get a bit of time to let everyone settle in."

Boyd, the Scottish Premier League's record goalscorer, rejected the offer of a new contract and appears poised for his first taste of English football, although he also has offers from Turkish clubs.

We look forward to bringing new lads in as it will provide a bit of freshness to our group Rangers manager Walter Smith

Ibrox cult hero Novo returned to his native Spain with Sporting Gijon in a search for more regular first-team starts.

Winger DaMarcus Beasley was not offered a new deal, fringe man Stevie Smith joined Norwich City, while negotiations continue with fellow defenders David Weir and Kirk Broadfoot.

Smith, meanwhile, has been given some funds to strengthen his squad for the first time in more than a season, despite the club being nearly £30m in debt.

"Over the past couple of seasons, we have had a smaller squad - but a stable squad," he told Rangers' website.

"That has been upset a little with the fact that we have had half a dozen players who have contracts that have expired.

"Both the boys, Nacho and Kris, were terrific servants to the club, but Rangers will always go on whether it's Walter Smith, Kris Boyd or Nacho Novo that leaves.

"The club will always go on and we will hopefully be able to fill that breach.

"We look forward to bringing new lads in as it will provide a bit of freshness to our group."

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