Jelavic scored three goals against Celtic last season

By Alasdair Lamont & Liam McLeod

Rapid Vienna say there will be no decision on Wednesday on the future of striker Nikica Jelavic.

Rangers had hoped to find out if their bid had been accepted for the Croatian international forward.

The 24-year-old scored twice in Tuesday's Europa League 3-0 qualifying win over the Bulgarian side Beroe.

A Rapid spokesman told BBC Scotland: "There will be no outcome today as our sporting director will not be back until tomorrow."

He added: "This will be discussed at a board meeting tomorrow morning."

Rapid Vienna may want to retain the striker until at least the play-off round for the Europa League.

Those games are scheduled for 19 & 26 August, which would leave only a few days before the transfer window closed.

If Rangers are unable to register Jelavic for their own European campaign, the Scottish champions would turn their attentions elsewhere.

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Nonetheless, he remains manager Walter Smith's favoured target as he seeks to replace Kris Boyd, although he is also looking at the Honduran Georgie Welcome on trial this week.

Jelavic has been with Rapid Vienna for two seasons, having joined them from Belgian club Zulte Waregem.

The powerful Bosnian-born forward scored 21 goals last season, three of those coming against Celtic in the Europa League.

He scored in the 1-1 draw at Celtic Park last October and bagged a brace in the 3-3 draw in the Austrian capital in December.

Meanwhile, any move from Rangers for the South African duo of Katlego Mphela and Bongani Khumalo is understood to be unlikely.

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