Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha dismisses link with Hearts' Alexandros Tziolis as 'pure rubbish'

Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha has dismissed reports linking him with a move for Hearts' Alexandros Tziolis as "pure rubbish".

The pair worked together at Panathinaikos 10 years ago when Caixinha was assistant at the Greek side and were reunited on Saturday after Rangers' 2-1 win over Hearts at Ibrox.

The Portuguese said they had a chat but insisted there was no truth in a newspaper report which suggested the Gers were set to move for 32-year-old Tziolis, whose six-month contract with Hearts expires in the summer.

"We worked together 10 years ago at Panathinaikos but if you are referring to what's in the news I just need to say to you that it is pure rubbish," Caixinha said. "If I don't comment on news from the media, even less I am going to comment on rubbish.

"He's a fantastic guy, I met him 10 years ago. After that he went to Werder Bremen and he did great and is having a great career but that's all I can tell you from that.

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"He is a friend of mine because I had the chance to create good bonds with the players.

"I was assistant by that time at Panathinaikos but when the players give everything to you and have very good relations, even after 10 years, you go there and salute him and invite him to come along and have a good Portuguese red wine with you."

However, Caixinha said he is hopeful of landing a couple of his midfield targets in the coming days.

"We know exactly what we are looking for and we have a level for the players for that position already [in mind]. Things are going in the direction we want," he said.

"We are about to get one deal, or more than one deal, done in those positions, so we know what we want. We appreciate the advice from outside but we work from inside."

Elsewhere, Jordan Rossiter and Nico Kranjcar have both returned to first-team training. The midfielders have missed the majority of the season through injury.