Rangers end interest in Espanyol defender Raul Rodriguez

Rodriguez joined Espanyol last summer

Rangers have ended their interest in the Espanyol defender Raul Rodriguez after the Spanish club increased their original valuation of the player.

Director of football Gordon Smith told BBC Scotland that the deal was dead.

Manager Ally McCoist had been keen for Rodriguez to join the club's other summer Spanish signing, Juanma Ortiz.

But with centre-half agreeing a fee for Carlos Cuellar, McCoist's defensive options have been boosted.

Rodriguez had three seasons in Spain's Second Division with Gramenet before joining Espanyol last summer.