Cuellar envisages future at Ibrox

Cuellar was outstanding at the heart of the Rangers defence

Carlos Cuellar has pledged his future to Rangers after being named the club's player and players' player of the year.

Cuellar, 26, enjoyed a wonderful first season at Ibrox, claiming the SPL top player prize along with the Scottish Football Writers' award.

The Spanish centre-back had been linked with a move to the English Premiership.

"I am very happy at Rangers and the supporters are one of the reasons," Cuellar told the official club website. "I want to stay here for many years."

Cuellar collected his further accolades at the Glasgow club's annual awards dinner on Tuesday.

The Madrid-born defender joined Rangers last summer from Osasuna in a £2.4m deal and made more than 50 appearances, scoring five goals, last season.

I am very happy at Rangers and the supporters are one of the reasons. I want to stay here for many years Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar

He first came to the attention of manager Walter Smith when Rangers met the Pamplona side in the Uefa Cup two seasons ago.

Cuellar's stellar performances, partnering veteran David Weir at the heart of the Rangers defence, inspired the club to the cusp of an unprecedented quadruple of honours, having to settle for the Scottish Cup and CIS Cup.

The Ibrox club lost 2-0 to Zenit St Petersburg in the Uefa Cup final and were denied the Scottish Premier League title by Celtic on the last day of the season having led for much of the campaign.

And Cuellar says he plans to be an even better player this season following a smooth transition last term from Spain's La Liga to Scotland's top-flight.

"I think we had a fantastic season in every competition," enthused Cuellar. "We came so close in the league, we reached the Uefa Cup final and we won two trophies.

"It was very important for the club to do that and, on a personal level, I felt very good within the team.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Would Gers fans be happy to see Cuellar commit his future to the club?

"It was a new experience for me and I loved every minute of it. I had no problem settling in with the other players, which was great.

"I said that when I came that I wanted to play in every game and that I wanted to win every trophy. When you play with good players, it makes doing that easier.

"Last season was my best as a professional player, but I hope this season will be even better."

Cuellar is in a race to be fit for next week's crucial Champions League qualifier against FBK Kaunas after a calf strain kept him out of Rangers' three friendly games on their recent pre-season trip to Germany.