Rangers in talks to land Carlos Cuellar & David Goodwillie as first major summer signings

RANGERS have moved significantly closer to making David Goodwillie and Carlos Cuellar their first summer signings.

As reported in the Daily Record Sport, the Ibrox club are in talks with Dundee United yesterday and Aston Villa late last night.

Rangers owner Craig Whyte and manager Ally McCoist are anxious to start getting players in to strengthen the club’s chances of clinching a fourth successive championship as well as securing a Champions League spot.

Tannadice hitman Goodwillie and Villa’s Cuellar could cost close to s3.5million with wages on top of that but McCoist is determined to enhance his strike force and strengthen his defence.

It is believed both players want to go to Rangers – Cuellar for a second Ibrox stint – and McCoist is a fan of both.

Before any business with United for Goodwillie can be concluded Rangers would have to be sure the striker is clear of a rape allegation against him.

Even with that in mind, however, Whyte’s team were trying yesterday to strike agreements with United and Villa, although the Premiership club’s new boss Alex McLeish will not allow Cuellar to leave easily.

He could even attempt to strike a deal which would take keeper Allan McGregor from Ibrox but Big Eck would have to offer at least s9million plus Cuellar before such a bid would be considered.

McLeish said: “We need a keeper and I have a number of names in mind. Allan’s definitely a good goalie.”

McLeish won’t be keeping Gary McAllister on his coaching staff but will retain Gordon Cowans. No.2 Andy Watson is not expected to move from Birmingham but it is not clear if Peter Grant will switch to Villa.