Boyd (right) celebrates scoring against Sportfreunde Lotte

Rangers boss Walter Smith has confirmed his interest in Cardiff City defender Glenn Loovens but insists he does not want to lose striker Kris Boyd.

Loovens had been identified as an Ibrox target and there was speculation that Boyd would move in the opposite direction as part of the deal.

But Smith told the Rangers website: "We have a few strikers just now and I am sure one or two of them will go.

"But Boyd is not one I would want to let go myself."

With the recent additions of Kyle Lafferty, Kenny Miller and Andrius Velicka, Rangers currently have seven strikers on their books.

Daniel Cousin had previously been linked with a move to Fulham, but the London club's interest appears to have cooled after signing Bobby Zamora from West Ham.

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Scottish international Boyd, who scored twice in Rangers' recent friendly win over German club Sportfreunde Lotte, was the subject of a £2.5m bid from Cardiff last month, which Rangers rejected.

The 24-year-old struggled to maintain a regular starting place in the Rangers side last season, despite finishing as the club's top scorer with 25 goals.

"I don't want to let him go. I have said that all the time," Smith added.

"It was a wee bit frustrating for him last season and I can appreciate that because it wasn't the easiest of circumstances for him."

Rangers have stepped up their search for a defender after ending their interest in Watford's Danny Shittu.

Rangers want Loovens to bolster their central defence

And Dutchman Loovens may be the ideal candidate, with the 24-year-old entering the final year of his contract with the Championship club.

"We have been making enquiries but not to the club," Smith added.

"We have been looking to get in another central defender and he is a player who has been recommended and somebody we have taken a look at.

"That is where we are at the present stage. We haven't taken things any further than that."

"We are still trying to strengthen but if we can't get the players we want then we will just go with what we have got."