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Cuellar ties up four-year deal



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Published Date: 13 August 2008
CARLOS CUELLAR has completed his £7.8million move from Rangers to Aston Villa, signing a four-year deal with Villa, who face FH Hafnarfjordur in a UEFA Cup qualifier tomorrow.
Cuellar moves on for the second summer in a row, having joined Rangers last year from Osasuna in a £2.37m deal.

The 26-year-old said: "I'm joining a big club in the Premier League. This is the best league in the world and last year Villa did very well.

Rangers tabled a new contract offer to Cuellar when he made his transfer request but the defender's mind was set on a move south.

Rangers boss Walter Smith, who admitted he was "disappointed" to lose his star defender barely six months after selling Alan Hutton to Tottenham, has been promised funds from the sale to strengthen his squad.





The full article contains 145 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 13 August 2008 10:03 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Rangers FC
 
1

BEMUSED EXILE,

13/08/2008 12:34:02
The story that won't go away.

I won't go down the road of "was there a release clause or wasn't there?" again. RFC say there was, Cuellar says there was, Aston villa say there was, the transfer fee is exactly 10 million euros etc, so I'm satisfied that it existed.

Bottom line though is this. RFC need to strengthen, particularly in midfield, and the type of players who could make a real difference don't come cheap. SDM is trying to keep a lid on spending and debt, which is understandable, and the early exit from Europe made it inevitable that a big asset like Cuellar had to be sold in order to finance purchases.

As to the argument that Cuellar's sell-on clause was set too low - it's easy in hindsight, but 12 months ago when he had just signed for a little over £2 million, you would have been locked up for suggesting that RFC could bring in almost £17 million (coincidentally almost exactly the same figure as their stated debt in their 2007 annual accounts) for the sale of Hutton and Cuellar, so it IS actually very good business, no matter how disappointed the fans are at the departure of two fine defenders.

Murray and Smith now have to capture the imagination with a couple of quick, high quality signings though.
2

Louis Catorze,

13/08/2008 12:36:30
After buying Miller he's obviously not to be trusted with a chequebook.
3

Cappo Del Monte,

13/08/2008 12:37:57
Great bit of business by Martin O Neil
You cant blame the guy, he wanted European football this season and to be seen by his internalional team coach, hardly do that with the team from castle naeskull
4

Cappo Del Monte,

13/08/2008 12:38:41
#2 Aye after costing them 2.5 million, he is a great celt missing that open goal ;-)
5

Johnny Jambo,

13/08/2008 13:50:00
#1 to be honest it wont cost a fortune to replace Cuellar, you do not need players of his class to play in the SPL and it was on the cards he would leave if Rangers got knocked out of Europe, why was he not selected in the CL qualifyer agains Kaunas, Rangers thought they would waqltz through with an understrength team, now they need the money.
6

Mr Bow,

at home 13/08/2008 14:19:39
Bemused: I agree, it was a good bit of business, but for whom,rangers or SDM? It will be interesting to see how much of the fee (£7.8m - Osasuna's cut) is reinvested in the club!
JJ: Not a question of thinking that an understrength team was good enough.
If Cuellar had played, then he would have been cup tied. Simple as that. Rangers knew that Villa were about to make a bid, before the first Kaunas game.
7

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 14:36:28
As BE says the crux of the matter is whether Walter gets the money to buy a raplacement and a midfielder.

If he does we will do ok ,as long as he does not do anything stupid re: Boyd or McGregor, and have a good chance of winning the championship.

We do however need to get rid of Cousin, even if we get nothing for him, who in my opinion cost us the championship with his pathetic displays at the end of last season.

I repeat what I have said many times, Celtic are not as good as some think and there is little between the teams.
8

fog 1875,

glasgow 13/08/2008 14:46:50
HA HA
Just think how other fans in scotland feel when the 2 Huge Glasgow Giants Buy up other scottish teams best players. HA HA HA
9

Mr Bow,

at home 13/08/2008 15:00:35
Invictager: In my opinion, rangers had a good midfielder last season in Davis. Walter seems interested in retaining him and I'm sure rangers will now go the extra yard to secure him.
With Loovens, it's a different kettle of fish. Celtic are reportedly interested, and it might mean Boyd is required, as part of the deal, to swing it in rangers favour.
10

BEMUSED EXILE,

13/08/2008 15:11:21
Boyd has stated loud and clear that he has no interest in a move to Cardiff, or any Championship side.

Loovens can sign a pre-contract with anyone in January, and Cardiff will get precisely nothing, so I can't see either OF side going too high.
11

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 15:15:39
We can always find another defender. Boyd, if played correctly, is irreplacable for the kind of money we could raise.Remember if not for him we would have won nothing last year.

I still think we would have beaten both motherwell and hibs at the end of last season if he had been given the nod over Cousin and would therefore have been champions.

I hope Davies does sign but actually don't think he is the creative spark needed. We still need to find someone who can "pull something out of a hat"
12

Mr Bow,

at home 13/08/2008 15:22:19
Bemused: Re. Loovens, I suppose it depends on how badly you want your man. Both rangers and celtic have a centre half as a priority signing. Both need him NOW. It will be interesting to see which of the OF are prepared to meet Cardiff's evaluation.
13

Mr Bow,

at home 13/08/2008 15:39:43
Invictager: We agree on Boyd, but Walter doesn't seem to have the same high opinion of him. Cardiff are interested in Boyd. Cardiff have an excellent central defender, who rangers are interested in. I think a deal can be done, but only with Boyd as a makeweight.
14

Johnny Jambo,

13/08/2008 15:46:10
#6 Mr Bow, Yes that was what I meant, he was not played because he would have been cup tied. However if Rangers had gone through, the likelyhood is that he would have stayed.
15

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 16:12:23
Unfortunately you may be correct about Boyd although I don't know why Walter thinks so poorly of him compared to say Cousin.

I also have a bad feeling that he may allow his conservative nature to dominate leading to the likes of Fleck not being given the chance he merits.

Remember Barry was not allowed to flourish until wee dick came on the scene. Hope I am wrong though.
16

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

13/08/2008 16:36:43
If he wanted European football why did he not play against Kaunus ?

The guy didn´t want European football

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3975032,00.html

I await the denial.

eeerrrm Hull had to tell their fans that they were going after somebody to please them etc

Tony Pulis is a Celtic diehard etc.

so when were Hull Courting him between 11:45 and 12:00 AM on Sunday morning ?
17

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 16:46:25
#16
If you are trying to be a wiseass at least get your facts correct.
Why don't you go back, read your own link again, and explain what Hull have got to do with Pulis.
18

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

13/08/2008 16:53:13
stoke = hull = relegation fodder = GTF RANGERS

Whats there about that not to understand dumbass ?
19

Helter Skelter,

13/08/2008 17:22:18
1

Bemused

Where does it say that Villa agree there was a release clause ?

I've checked Villa's website. There are two articles about Cuellars signing neither of which say anything about there being a release clause , in fact, they don't even mention the fee paid.

The ony persons that have said there was a release clause are Cuellar and Rangers.

Cuellar attended a rangers supporters function on Friday night, telling all present about his "love" for the club.
The papers had got wind of Villa's interest earlier that day...see Friday's evening times , early edition, which goes online around midday.

By Sunday morning, the deal with villa was pretty much done and dusted , only the paperwork and a medical requiring completion.
Not the most credible witness I would suggest.

Minty and co. had said late on Friday afternoon to a delegation of rangers fans that Carlos was going nowhere unless an offer of "silly money" came in.
Not a dickie bird about their hands being tied by a release clause...would you buy a life insurance policy from someone who gives out these kind of assurances ?

And off-course, I haven't seen anything from Villa confirming that there was a release clause...if anything, a curious silence about the details of the deal.
The Times Online merely reports that the clubs "agreed" a fee.
20

,

13/08/2008 17:22:37
Comment Removed By Administrator
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21

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 17:34:45
#18
What is not hard to understand is that when a person has neither the wit or intellect to indulge in some banter then they turn to abuse instead.

It appears you fall into that category quite nicely and not only on this thread, or am I another "lying biggoted retard" like the one who dared to disagree with you on the Hainning thread.

I was only having a mild dig at how anybody can post a link with a large banner headline declaring "Stoke failed in Cuellar bid" and then proceed to go on about Hull. However it seems your dislike of anything or anybody not "celtic minded" leaves you unable to respond sensibly.
22

,

13/08/2008 17:38:43
Comment Removed By Administrator
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23

,

13/08/2008 17:49:44
Comment Removed By Administrator
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24

Scotcelt,

Sheffield 13/08/2008 18:18:23
Although my loyalties lie with the other side, I have to say that it is sad to see any quality player leaving Scotland - we don't currently have very many! I can well understand the anger & confusion of Rangers supporters. For what it's worth, it will all turn round as it always eventually does. Rangers are a great club going through (as we all periodically do) a lean patch, but nothing lasts forever or generally for very long.........Keep your sunny side up.
25

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

13/08/2008 18:23:51
#21,

I suppose that calling somebody a "wiseass" you wouldn´t consider to be abusive. Sectarian bigots (1 T) that follow Rangers have been in denial about what constitutes banter and what constitutes abuse for about a century so I would hardly expect you to be an authority on it. Therefore you being called dumbass cannot be construed as being abusive by you. Why is mild dig different to your wild dig. This is a a malaise that has affected not just Rangers but Scotland for a long time now. I.e that HH-UU-NN is somehow the same as F-E-N-I-A-N

If your are going to highlight something in quotes please do yourself a favour and put it through a spelling checker. It makes you look truly stupid. Why am I not surprised ?

Going back to the original post I do accept that I made a mistake in identifying Pulis as the Hull manager and not the Stoke City manager. That does not detract from my original assertion at all that Cuellar wanted out of Rangers. Nothing to do with European football. He jsut wanted to GTF out of lowly Rangers.

I feel your pain and I get no pleasure from it whatsoever let me rest assure you.

26

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

13/08/2008 18:28:40
Interseting that the Scotsman accepts F-E-N-I-A-N but wont accept HH-UU-NN thats why each letter has to be written twice.

An indication of the mindset of this newspaper and the editorial.
Shurely Shume Mishtake
27

Scotcelt,

Sheffield 13/08/2008 18:47:23
#25, #26 etc
Calm down. You may well have the best intentions, but don't kick anyone or anything when he, she or it is down. Try a bit of generosity, just like the kind of stuff you'd appreciate when going through hard times. If you feel the Scotsman is partisan, show them how to be less so by showing some sympathy for cousins who are currently & understandably struggling. Know what I mean..?
28

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 18:52:25
#25
I have no problem with dumbass which is just as harmless as wiseass and certainly no more than banter.I don't actually have much of a problem with being called the H word either to be honest,in the right tone.

It was the large GTF RANGERS I thought was over the top in the context.

As for the typo,yes it made me look stupid but that's hardly new and besides apart from the extra letter g you did actually call the poster named Who? exactly that earlier.

I do not use the other types of abuse you mention because like you I am from Lanarkshire and have a mixed heritage( yes I did read your posts and am well aware certain villages were not nice places to live) with my mother being of the green persuasion and I have cousins/uncles etc who were all regulars on the Wishaw x keys celtic bus.

You are not surprised that I can be stupid but you may be to find out that I actually agree with you regarding Carlos. I have to say I would do exactly the same in his position as would virtually any footballer.
29

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

13/08/2008 18:55:03
#27

I genuinely think that the Rangers fans are being conned. So I just thought I would highlight an article that would seem to me to indicate that this was the case. The truth. I then get called a wiseass and no reference is made to my contribution. I was also taught that lying was bad.

In the meantime I come across an official language filter by a national newspaper that can only be described as biased. Is it any wonder that these people dont know how to behave when representing Scotland abroad ?

I`ve never been more calmer bud be rest assured.
30

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 18:55:09
#27
Are you having a laugh. The whole point of the threads is to have a laugh and a dig at the other side, within reason.

I cannot believe any Celtic fan did not laugh their proverbial socks off last week. I know I would have if it were the other way round.
31

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

13/08/2008 18:58:08
#28

I meant that Cuellar wanted to GTF out of Rangers. Bail out, jump ship you get the pic

I unreservedly apologise if you think it was a GTF towards Rangers.
32

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

13/08/2008 19:00:33
#30

Having been conned for years myself by my club and also having many good bluenose friends who are going through as hard a time as what I went through I´m only trying to tell it as it is. denial can be a terrible thing look at B.E
33

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 19:14:22
No probs, I can see now how I got it wrong. Since we are on apologies I admit I wouldn't have called you wiseass if I thought you would take it seriously,sorry.

I am in no way happy with what is happening at the minute but will wait to see what happens to the money before I jump on any bandwagon. I do not believe that sort of thing helps.

Ps
I least I am welcome in Harthill.
(joke - honest)

Pps where did you get the username, its interesting
34

Daillyman,

13/08/2008 19:17:17
If WS gets the transfer money from the Cuellar deal and its bumped up to the 10mil that has been reported in some sectors of the press, it will go a long way in helping the Gers improve the squad.

It should allow the Gers to pick up the 2nd centre half that they are chasing and add a couple of decent quality midfield players.

With the new player additions to come and players returning from injury, it will hopefully improve our chances of winning the SPL title.



35

Helter Skelter,

13/08/2008 19:23:38
Brian

The problem for Rangers now is that any player willing to come north, the first team his agent will contact is Champions Celtic.

We can guarantee the chance to play in the Champions League, and that puts a shine on the prospect of coming up to Scotland.

At the moment, Celtic will get pretty much first refusal on any one interested in a move to Scotland.
36

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 19:23:49
FAO Eddie Smith

See posts 31 and 33, its not that hard to say sorry when you slip up.
37

Helter Skelter,

13/08/2008 19:27:26
Also, from the outside looking in, Rangers are in a bit of turmoil at the moment.
There are reports in the press today of a demonstration by fans this weekend.

Manchester is still in recent memory, and players know that coming to Rangers at this time might prove not to be the best career move they could have made.

The fans are one step short of open revolt, and it will be the players that get most of it in the neck if results are poor.
38

Scotcelt,

Sheffield 13/08/2008 19:29:34
I'm very impressed & encouraged by the RATIONAL & downright friendly exchanges between rival fans so far. Keep it up!!!!!!!!!!! The Scotsman has had very good reasons for closing down threads in the past - a lot of the vile stuff has been positively cringeworthy, has it not..? But let's not forget that we're on an Edinburgh newspaper site. COME ON, the Hibs & Hearts. 2 great clubs who used to be serious contenders. And hopefully will be again. Soon?
39

Helter Skelter,

13/08/2008 19:31:53
Put it this way, if at the moment I was 21 , a fringe player for WBA or Hull, and my agent came in and said 'fancy a move up to Rangers?', I think I'd sack him.

If he said Celtic, I'd want to speak to Strachan and see what my chances of first team selection are like.
40

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 19:33:18
I can see the headline now.

"Kaka about to sign for Rangers but then he remembered Manchester"- I don't think so.

Players won't want to sign at the moment because we cannot pay silly money anymore and have no Europe to play in,no other reasons. Even being a poor team has little bearing otherwise we would have signed few players in recent years.
41

Helter Skelter,

13/08/2008 19:34:15
BTW

The converse would be true if the same proposals were made to me at the time of Souness.
42

Daillyman,

13/08/2008 19:35:45
35

There is no doubt that the attraction of European football helps in bringing players to OF clubs.

We are out of Europe this season but will be back in next season, with the tics involvement in the CL this season it has not brought the quality players to Celtic that had been reported all over the press, for whatever reasons.

The SPL is the Gers priority this season and if the wages are right, then players will sign, lets face it money is the priority with most of the games modern players.

As Cuellar said he wanted the move "to improve his international selection chances",, it was not the 40k a week Villa were offering.
43

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 19:36:04
I would rather have WBA's manager than any of their players.
44

Helter Skelter,

13/08/2008 19:38:17
40

But it does show that are not the sort of fans that you want to be on the wrong side off, and at the moment, there's a lot of built up frustration amongst the fans, and the trickle of protest could soon become a flood, and it will all come crashing down on the heads of the players more than anyone else.
45

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

13/08/2008 19:38:54
#33 Harthill was a long time ago :-)

If you see my exchange with BE yesterday you would have read that I thought the Cuellar deal was a good one. Three times your money in one year and I honestly dont rate Cuellar that highly. I think in an attacking 4.4.2 possibly 4.3.3 at EPL level he´s not going seem so solid.

Mc Curry did say sorry even though he admitted he got it wrong but it still didn´t change anything. Dundee Utd. lost their UEFA cup place and any incentive to beat Celtic on the last day. The buddies at the w.e definitely deserved a draw it wasn´t a penalty imho but the incident 5 minutes earlier was. As I said on another thread today Hamilton scored two with the hand on Monday and not a peep from anyone .. especially from Levein

as for my name

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5zkjM5HUX4

;-)
46

Helter Skelter,

13/08/2008 19:44:19
Cuellar spent the season at Rangers with three players in front of him.

He will not get that kind of protection at Villa.

47

Helter Skelter,

13/08/2008 19:48:45
Still his positional sense inside the box when attacks are coming in from the flanks is very good and he will tidy up most crossed balls that come into the danger area.

Where Cuellar will be into new ground is when he has the likes of Rooney tearing through the middle and Ronaldo (we think) coming inside , and the inter passing is fast and accurate.

That is the kind of thing that Cuellar was untested at during his time at Ibrox...he won't have a middle three blockading that space on front of him....it will come right onto him most of the time.
48

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 19:52:29
#45
Great sketch.(@#@#@#@)

Nearly as good as the bluenose gorilla or the Frank MacAvenie Beaver being reintroduced to Scotland sketch.

Actually recalling my young days listening to the radio it sometimes seems like it did work like that. When you saw the highlights later it all looked so much more dull.

Whatever happened to Davy Francey on radio Clyde.
49

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 19:56:33
#47
Don't forget we are not talking about an untried player here. He played in La Liga which I believe is the best standard in Europe if not the world.

#45
I will never even attempt to defend McCurry but Smith will soon be regarded in that light ( and I am not a believer in conspiracy theories.)if he makes a couple of more errors in favour of Celtic.
50

fog 1875,

glasgow 13/08/2008 19:59:36
fodder team for the championship me's think yes teddy bouys
51

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 20:00:13
In today's spirit of friendliness and concilliation I have to admit there is still a team I will support in the CL, yes thats right Liverpool, who I am just about to watch.
52

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

13/08/2008 20:01:15
#49

was it not Jimmy Sandison the voice of football or something like that.

The day that Eddie Smith is caught on camera saying "good goal fill in celtic player Christian name" I´ll agree with you
53

&Larrsonfixestheradio,

13/08/2008 20:02:07

Happy viewing. I have 0.2 in my prediction sweep at work for that one.

54

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 20:10:52
A good side. Pity about the lack of top class Scots in teams like this nowadays.
Unsure about the result, without going on about it too much these very early season games can embarrass you. In fact Standard just had one hit the post and go accross the line, may even have been in.
55

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 20:14:28
Standard just got a penalty but the handball was well outside the box.
Reina saved it.
56

,

13/08/2008 20:16:28
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57

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 20:21:53
Tim
Im sure you know we can recover from this. We are not quite as far down as your team pre Fergus.
58

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 20:25:27
A good example of what I meant at 54 is that Anorthosis Famagusta are currently 2 up on Olympiakos.

I expect Liverpool and Arsenal to go through but then I thought Rangers would cruise it.
59

Daillyman,

13/08/2008 20:38:53
56 Tim

We know there are glaring weaknesses in the squad and hopefully these will be addressed, however with the squad we had last year we lost the league by 3 points to a supposedly vastly superior team filled with class.

Celtic have done nothing to improve their squad, yes we have lost Cuellar and brought in the lad from Charleton, with more players to come.

I think the league will again be very tight this year, and there will not be much to choose between the 2 Glasgow clubs at seasons end.

As for the boozing culture, I have only read about a couple of players being out on the town this season so far and they dont play at Ibrox.
60

,

13/08/2008 20:50:01
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61

,

13/08/2008 20:59:42
Comment Removed By Administrator
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62

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 21:55:12
That was nearly as bad as watching Rangers, but not quite.

Very lucky to get away with 0 - 0.
63

invictager,

Kent 13/08/2008 21:57:30
Looks like we have followed Celtics lead and signed a Spaniard that nobody has heard of.

I have to say my first thought is who?
64

,

13/08/2008 22:07:18
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65

,

13/08/2008 22:27:14
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66

BEMUSED EXILE,

13/08/2008 23:05:07
Patrick

Fed up with this one, but since you can't find anything on the Aston Villa site confirming that Cuellar had a release clause, here it is just for you...

http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~1363790,00.html
67

BEMUSED EXILE,

13/08/2008 23:11:25
As for the young Spaniard that RFC have signed...

Aaron Esclapez, a 19 year-old attacking midfielder who has already played for Valencia in the CL and was the "Player of the Tournament" when Spain won the 2007 European Under-19 Championship.

One for the future, and a good pedigree.
68

BEMUSED EXILE,

13/08/2008 23:20:00
"It`s NOT as if the money coming in would be spent by the manager-that defeats the purpose of selling in the first place."

It probably would defeat the purpose, if you were selling a central defender at £8 million only to replace him with another central defender at £8 million.

However, if you can identify an adequate replacement for around £2 million, and plan to use the other £6 million to buy 2x £3 million players to strengthen a weak midfield, then it makes perfect sense.
69

Daillyman,

13/08/2008 23:26:18
67 Bemused

Lets hope the young lad works out as well as the last couple of Spanish players we have had.

Arteta and Cuellar were certainly good finds for the club.

Any rumours on who the Gers are looking to sign?
70

BEMUSED EXILE,

13/08/2008 23:35:41
Brian

I've heard nothing that could be classed as reliable, with Loovens and Davis remaining to the fore.

WS is known to be a huge fan of Italian football, and there was a rumour recently linking the Torino international midfielder Simone Barone with Rangers for around £3 million.

Also interesting to note that RFC diehard Alan Smith is apparently available for a knockdown less than £3 million fee, with Everton known to be sniffing.

Think Alan's wage demands would scupper that one, but the fans would certainly love him.
71

Daillyman,

13/08/2008 23:44:05
70

Cheers.

 

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