SCOTTISH Premier League giants Rangers are the latest club to be showing an interest in highly-rated Middlesbrough youngster Stewart Downing, writes Paul Fraser.

Downing, who came off the bench during Saturday's goalless draw with Charlton, was the subject of a £750,000 bid from Wigan Athletic last week. And now Northern Echo SPORT understands that Rangers boss Alex McLeish is the latest to have been alerted to the player's ability after his successful loan spell at Sunderland.

Boro are sure to reject any offer from Rangers, as they are keen to keep hold of an England youth international they believe has a tremendous future.

And Downing, who scored three goals in six appearances for the Black Cats, wants to stay on Teesside and play for his hometown club.

Meanwhile, Bolo Zenden has made light of Boro's dreadful goalscoring record this season.

The Riverside outfit have scored just one goal in five games - albeit an own goal from Manchester City's Sun Jihai - and have only scored 12 goals in six Premiership matches this season. But Zenden said after Saturday's draw with the Addicks: "It's not a big issue that we're not scoring goals.

"As long as the team work hard we have a platform. We just have to keep working hard and make sure we turn things around. Everyone would like to win 3-0 instead of drawing 0-0."

Zenden had one of Boro's best chances to win the game when he tamely turned a Gaizka Mendieta cross into goalkeeper Dean Kiely.

He added: "I did have a great chance when I put it through the legs of the defender but the goalkeeper saved it.

"We've got some important games now coming up and on Wednesday we are in the cup against Tottenham.

"We know we can do better. If we can get the ball into the back of the net more often it would build confidence for the team."

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