A round-up of today's soccer news in brief

Rangers look to bring Cuellar back

RANGERS have confirmed they have lodged an offer with Aston Villa as they step up their bid to take Carlos Cuellar back to Ibrox.

But owner Craig Whyte has told new Villa boss Alex McLeish that goalkeeper Allan McGregor is not for sale.

McLeish has already been linked with a move for the Scotland number one but the sale of McGregor appears unlikely to be used as part of a deal to bring defender Cuellar to Glasgow.

Whyte said: “I’ve said that Allan is not for sale. We have not been approached by anybody about him.

“We’ve made a bid for Cuellar but, with their managerial change, it has slowed there a bit.”

Meanwhile, Whyte believes a €2 million asking price for Dundee United striker David Goodwillie is too much but refused to rule out further dialogue with the Tannadice club.

McLeish discusses future plans with Villa fans

NEW ASTON Villa manager Alex McLeish has held a “positive” meeting with a number of the club’s supporters.

McLeish has come under fire from a section of Villa fans unhappy at him being appointed as Gerard Houllier’s successor due to his time as manager of bitter city rivals Birmingham.

But he is determined to tackle the issue and yesterday half a dozen prominent Villa followers spoke with him at the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground.

McLeish outlined his plans for the club and listened to any issues the group wanted raise in a meeting lasting more than an hour.

Jonathan Fear, editor of the Vital Villa fans’ website, said: “It was a good positive, open meeting and I don’t think anyone left with long faces.

“He asked for the meeting and he is going to ask for more fans’ forums.

“We all asked everything we felt was relevant and he answered it and wanted to be open and honest.”

Gullit denies rift let to sacking

RUUD GULLIT has denied a rift with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov prompted his departure from Russian Premier League side Terek Grozny earlier this month.

The former Chelsea and Newcastle boss lasted just five months in charge before he was relieved of his duties, with the club third from bottom in the Russian top flight.

Chechen leader Kadyrov, who is also the Terek Grozny president, had complained before Gullit’s departure the 48-year-old had been more concerned with “thinking about bars and discos” than leading the team.

But in a statement released by the League Managers Association yesterday, Gullit has denied speculation that those concerns had caused him to be fired from the post.

“The club have confirmed that recent results were the sole reason for this decision,” Gullit said.

“Any other suggestions about my departure in the media are totally incorrect.”

Roma look to sign Barca's Bojan

BARCELONA are considering an offer from AS Roma for their Spanish striker Bojan Krkic but no deal has yet been agreed, the European champions said yesterday. “We have received an offer but it is still being studied and evaluated,” Barcelona’s board spokesman Toni Freixa said.

“Obviously, if we were prepared to receive this offer and consider it, it is because there is a possibility we could go through with it.”

Bojan (20) came up through the Barcelona youth ranks but has found his opportunities limited in the first team. He is currently on duty with the Spanish Under-21s at the European championship in Denmark. AS Roma have just appointed former Barcelona B team coach Luis Enrique to lead their side next season.

Drogba not on Milan wish-list 

CHELSEA forward Didier Drogba (33) is not on AC Milan’s wish-list, according to club vice-president Adriano Galliani.

Reports in Italy have claimed Milan want to replace Antonio Cassano with Stamford Bridge star Drogba this summer.

Cassano is a reported target of Serie A side Fiorentina. However, Galliani said: “We are covered in attack and hence, Drogba will not arrive.” Drogba is under contract with Chelsea for another year.

Galway put all players up for sale

GALWAY UNITED have announced that all of their professional players will be available for transfer during the forthcoming summer window as the club attempt to reduce their wage bill and get to grip with mounting debts, writes Emmet Malone.

The club, who are currently at the foot of the Premier Division table, have around a dozen professional players and, while none would be considered to be big earners by league standards, the hope nonetheless is a small number might be moved on in order to reduce costs at the club.

The wage bill at the club has already been slashed in comparison to previous years and is now believed to stand at less than €3,000 per week.

But with attendances and sponsorship revenues both down, it has been decided that further cuts are required ahead of a major fundraising drive over the course of the summer.