JUAN MANUEL ORTIZ yesterday became Ally McCoist's first signing as Rangers manager and hoped close friend Carlos Cuellar could be persuaded to join him at Ibrox.
Ortiz, also known as Juanma, has signed a three-year deal after moving from Almeria in his native Spain for an undisclosed fee, and could make his debut in Rangers’ first pre-season match against Sportfreunde Lotte in Germany tonight.
Ortiz, who can operate in a number of positions but is expected to feature mostly on the right of midfield, played with Cuellar during a loan period at Osasuna earlier in his career, and consulted the former Rangers defender before agreeing to sign for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions.
“When the chance came up to come to Rangers, I spoke to Carlos about it and he only had good things to say,” said the 29-year-old. “He told me the club is massive and that he was very, very happy here, so he told me it was a move I should make.
“Carlos is a good player and I know Rangers have been interested in signing him again so it would be good if that happened. I would be delighted about that. Apart from him being an ex-team-mate of mine, we are friends and he is an excellent player.”
Ortiz flew into Scotland on Monday for contract talks with Gordon Smith, Rangers’ new director of football, before passing a medical. After two days of talks, a deal was finally concluded yesterday.
“I am very happy to be here,” the former Atletico Madrid player added. “I want to start training as soon as possible so that I can stake a claim for a place in the team. I am looking forward to working with Ally McCoist. I have heard all about him and I have only been told good things.
“I know I am his first signing and I know people will expect a lot from me because of that. I will respect that and I am going to try to do the best I can for the fans. Rangers are a team I have seen quite a lot on television in the Champions League. I almost signed for them in 2009 so I have made a point of watching them since then.
“I have been very impressed by the club and there is a very good standard of player here. I hope to fit into the side and make a good impact with my new team-mates.
“My aim is to win the championship. The team has done very well in the last few seasons, so I want to make sure this continues.”
McCoist revealed Ortiz’s versatility was a decisive factor in his signing.
“I think the fact that he can play a number of positions was a big thing,” said the Rangers manager.
“He probably runs Steven Whittaker close. I’m not sure if he can play left-back and outside right, but he can play a few positions. He is quick and has obviously played a few games at a very top level, so we are pleased.”
McCoist, who admitted he had still not given up on signing David Goodwillie, the Dundee United striker, also hopes to retain the services of David Weir.
“We are talking to Davie’s representatives and hopefully he will stay for another year,” he added.
McCoist also revealed he will be talking to Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham Hotspur manager, about taking duo Jake Livermore and Bongani Khumalo on loan, but was less optimistic about the possible signing of Australian midfielder Mile Jedinak and the return of Cuellar.
“There is a little bit of work to be done there,” he said on the subject of Jedinak. “I would have to say it’s less than 50-50.”
On Cuellar, he said: “I have made it clear that he is a player that I would like to see back at Ibrox, but he is under contract with Aston Villa and it looks as though it might stay that way.”
Meanwhile, Rangers stand to make around £700,000 from Charlie Adam’s proposed transfer to Liverpool. There is a 10% sell-on clause in the midfielder’s contract from when they sold him to Blackpool for £500,000 two years ago, with his latest fee in the region of £7m.
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