SPANISH midfielder Aaron Niguez insists he is not looking beyond Glasgow after beginning his two-year loan spell with Rangers.
The 19-year-old Valencia player got his first taste of action for Rangers on Tuesday when he impressed in a 70-minute run-out during a practice game against Kilmarnock at Murray Park.
Rangers are thought to have the option to sign Aaron for £2mill
ion when the loan deal expires, but Rangers fans may fear he will move on if he really impresses.
His compatriot Carlos Cuellar was at Ibrox for barely a year before exercising a sell-on clause to join Aston Villa for £7.8million last week.
However, Aaron, who played for Valencia in the Champions League aged 17, claims he is keen on a long-term stay at Ibrox.
"I have not just come here to play and then leave again," he told Rangers News.
"I am here for two years and I want to progress in that time. It is my hope that I do well enough for Rangers that they want to sign me and keep me here on a permanent deal.
"My first target is to simply play good football in training and get into the team as I have come here to be successful.
"I am not even thinking about a life beyond Rangers. You never know what will happen in your career over time but I want to be here.
"I am only focused on working hard so that the club takes up its option to buy me and I am here for many years."
As well as fellow Spaniards Cuellar and team-mate Nacho Novo, Aaron is following in the footsteps of Mikel Arteta, who joined Rangers in 2002 from Barcelona.
Arteta lasted two years in Glasgow but hankered for a return to Spain before joining Everton from Real Sociedad.
"In coming here after a loan spell elsewhere, I suppose I am doing the same sort of thing as Mikel did before," said Aaron, who had spells with Spanish second division side Xerez and Greek outfit Iraklis last term.
"It's tough to be a success in football and you have to take things step by step.
"When you look at Mikel now, he is a big success in the English Premier League and I want to take things gradually so that I end up being a big success here."
Meanwhile, Maurice Johnston believes USA international Maurice Edu can prove his worth at Rangers.
Edu's £2.6million transfer from Major League Soccer outfit Toronto FC to Ibrox is agreed subject to the 22-year-old obtaining a work permit, with a decision expected tomorrow.
Former Rangers striker Johnston, Toronto's director of football, believes six-cap Edu can more than cope with a move to Ibrox.
"Rangers are a huge club, I think it is a great story for him and shows kids that they should keep following their dream," Johnston told torontofc.com. "He is one of the strongest people I know. If you look at how he handled being in the national team and being rookie of the year, he is strong mentally and I am sure he will handle this."
The full article contains 541 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
