Carlos Cuellar is different. In a 15-minute conversation at Ibrox yesterday, he admitted to owning a boa constrictor and an English bulldog. He also touched on his love of Starbucks.

Carlos Cuellar is different. In a 15-minute conversation at Ibrox yesterday, he admitted to owning a boa constrictor and an English bulldog. He also touched on his love of Starbucks, his hatred of bull running and his talent for running the 1500m as a youngster. The real difference about the Spaniard is that he is not seeking to run a mile from Rangers at the end of his first season in Scottish football, despite interest from down south.

Cuellar has settled well in Scotland and has shown no interest in pursuing more lucrative options in England. Providing Rangers do not get an offer they cannot refuse, he will still be at Ibrox next season.

European football is top of Cuellar's list of priorities and his move from Osasuna to Rangers last summer has been vindicated by the club's success in reaching their first European final in 36 years.

There were plenty in Spain who sneered at Cuellar swapping arguably the best league in the world for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, but the player feels he has had the last laugh. "When you move from the best league in the world to another one, people say you are crazy, you are playing in the best league with the best players.' But here I have the opportunity to play in the Champions League and win the league, the UEFA Cup and the Scottish Cup.

"If you play for Barcelona and Real Madrid you may have these opportunities but if you are involved with one of the other teams then you don't have the chance. Now we have the possibility of making history. Every newspaper, radio and TV station in Spain has been calling me for an interview."

Cuellar's rangy style has won over the club's supporters this season and inspired a couple of songs in tribute to him. He sang a few bars of one yesterday before dissolving into a fit of giggles.

"Ever since Rangers approached they have shown me warmth and appreciation," he said. "The supporters here are special. In Spain, the supporters appreciated me but it is nothing like it is here."

Cuellar and David Weir have formed an excellent partnership at the heart of the Rangers defence this season and Cuellar praised the contribution of the 37-year-old. Weir's contract is up in the summer but his partner is confident he can carry on for the forseeable future. "He is a great player but we have a good relationship off the pitch too. He can carry on for two or three more years."

Cuellar's athleticism is one of his key assets and it is perhaps little surprise that he was a talented athlete in his youth.

"I started in athletics, 1500m, and I won a lot of trophies. When I was 16 or 17 I changed to football. My ambition was always to be a professional footballer."

The only things Cuellar misses about Spain are his boa constrictor, called Titan, and his dog. Otherwise, "I like everything. Starbucks, going to the city centre with my friends."