Rangers Insist Newcastle Have Not Bid For Cuellar!

Last updated : 03 June 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

Their has been sufficient interest to prompt Kevin Keegan, Dennis Wise and Tery McDermott to make several personal scouting missions to Ibrox with speculation growing a bid is just days away.

However .... United have been warned to expect a fight after Glasgow Rangers boss Walter Smith indicated his determination to hang on to his star defender.

Cuellar put in another fine display in the Scottish Cup final and the 26-year-old defender, who joined Rangers from Osasuna for a fee of around £2.5m last summer, won the Scottish Football Writers' Association player of the year award.

Smith: "I have not had any indication from anyone yet that they are going to inquire about Cuellar.

"I want to try to keep all the players we have had in our squad."

Rangers supposedly have an estimated asking price of around £6m.

Newcastle know any opportunity to play Premier League football will interest the top players in Scotland and, although United are intent on cutting their wage bill ahead of next season, Cuellar can expect his £16,000-a-week salary to be doubled (at least) at St James's Park.