DAVID CUFFLEY Norwich City goalkeeper Paul Gallacher is reported to be a wanted man back in his homeland - with Rangers boss Walter Smith looking to add two keepers to his squad.

DAVID CUFFLEY

Norwich City goalkeeper Paul Gallacher is reported to be a wanted man back in his homeland - with Rangers boss Walter Smith looking to add two keepers to his squad.

The 27-year-old Scotland international has another year of his contract to run with the Canaries, but ended the season on the sidelines at Carrow Road with Fulham's Tony Warner playing the last 13 matches during a loan spell from Craven Cottage.

Smith is looking for experienced cover for first choice Allan McGregor, with 35-year-old German 'keeper Stefan Klos retiring and reserve team prospect Lee Robinson going out on loan, and reports north of the border suggest Gallacher is a target for the Ibrox club.

City boss Grant said last night: “I haven't had any contact from Rangers, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were interested because of the Scottish connection.”

Grant dropped Gallacher three times last season to bring in loan 'keepers Jamie Ashdown, David Marshall and Warner, while on-loan Lee Camp also deputised for three matches while he was injured.

With Grant making it clear he is looking for a new goalkeeper, Gallacher's chances of starting next season as first choice appear to be remote and it would not be a surprise if they were prepared to grant him a move.

Gallacher joined the Canaries from Dundee United on a free transfer in the summer of 2004, at the start of their Premiership campaign.

He had to wait nearly two full seasons for a first-team call, replacing the injured Robert Green for the final four Championship matches of 2005-06.

He was linked with a return to Scotland last summer, but instead signed a two-year deal with the Canaries and started the season as former boss Nigel Worthington's first choice, and was ever-present until Grant's arrival in October.

Gallacher has made a total of 36 senior appearances for City. He has also won seven full caps for Scotland, winning the last of them against Estonia in 2004, but also featured in B internationals last season before Smith quit the national team to return to Rangers.

Grant's search for a new'keeper goes on. He has made no secret of the fact he would like to get Marshall, who suffered an ankle after just five games of his loan spell from Celtic, back to Norwich next season.

But he has also been linked with Scotland international Neil Alexander, who is a free agent after turning down a new deal with Cardiff, and Burnley's Wales international Danny Coyne.

Grant strengthened his goalkeeping back-up last week when Joe Lewis agreed a new three-year deal and Academy scholar Steve Arnold was given a one-year professional contract.