Danns deal close, says McCoist

Rangers manager Ally McCoist is closing in on the signing of Neil Danns but insists the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions will not pay over the odds for Aston Villa defender Carlos Cuellar.

McCoist, who has succeeded Walter Smith, revealed that new director of football Gordon Smith has held talks with Villa over bringing Cuellar back to Ibrox, but that the clubs have yet to agree a fee for the Spaniard.

However, talks over a deal with Crystal Palace midfielder Danns, who is available on a free transfer, are thought to be at an advanced stage.

McCoist told the Daily Record: “Gordon Smith has been talking to Aston Villa about Carlos. I’m very keen for that deal to go through but I don’t think we’d be going as far as £3million to make it happen.

“There could be information over Neil Danns in a matter of days.

“We’ve been talking to his representatives since he left Crystal Palace and I’m trying to push that one through.”

But McCoist is also facing a battle to hold on to some of his main assets. Steven Whittaker has been the subject of a series of bids from Turkish club Bursaspor, while McCoist is also keen to agree a new two-year contract for goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

He said of Whittaker: “I’m going to do everything I can to keep him, Allan and Steven Davis at the club.”