Nacho Novo knows there is an argument to be made for players not going back to the same club for a second spell.

History, of course, would back up such claims. Down through the years, plenty of players have attempted to turn back the clock by returning to old ground – and failed.

That doesn't appear to have put Ally McCoist off the idea of trying to bring Carlos Cuellar back to Ibrox for a second stint, even if the deal could take some weeks to get over the line.

As things stand, new Villa boss Alex McLeish wants to have a look at Cuellar in action before sanctioning any sale.

That is a blow for McCoist with the new SPL season – and crucial Champions League qualifiers – looming large on the horizon. But Cuellar is his main target and the new Rangers manager is likely to play the long game on this one.

And, according to his countryman and former team-mate Novo, it would be a transfer with major benefits for both parties.

"The Rangers supporters don't need me or anyone else to speak about how good a footballer Carlos Cuellar is," explained Novo. "They witnessed it for themselves through the one year he was in Glasgow.

"He was fantastic and the man-of-the-match in almost every game. It didn't take long for the fans to take to him in a big way and they created a song for him.

"I was very friendly with him and he loved the fact the supporters took him to their hearts and used to sing about him during games.

"Obviously he was only at the club for one full season before being transferred, but Rangers made a huge profit on him. During that year he was brilliant and, if he goes back and can perform anywhere close to that standard, then I'm sure the fans will be delighted to see him again."

He added: "Maybe it can be hard going back to the same club if you have enjoyed a successful time. You want to be remembered for the good times, but I don't think that is a problem for Carlos. He was only there for one year and he is still young.

"I spent a lot of time with him because we were two Spanish players playing in the same team but he was well liked by all of the boys. He was very popular in the dressing room – always walking about with a big silly grin on his face.

"Ally McCoist obviously feels he would be able to come back and pick up where he left off and I don't see any reason why that wouldn't be possible.

"Carlos had a lot of injury problems at Villa and he was being played at right-back when his best position is in the centre. But, when he is fit, there is no doubt he is a tremendous player and going back to a place where he is loved and respected, might just be what he needs at this stage of his career."

Novo says Cuellar was reluctant to leave Rangers in the first place, but it was the dream of playing for the Spanish national team which convinced him to move to Villa under then-manager Martin O'Neill.

"I think one of the reasons Carlos left to go to England was that he hoped by playing in the English Premier League he would have a better opportunity of being capped at international level," said Novo. "And you can understand that.

"I don't think he would have had much of a chance of being called up by Spain if he was playing in the SPL, but that would have been different if he was playing well in England.

"But maybe his priorities have changed now. It will be important for him to get back playing first-team football, so I think it would suit everyone concerned. Rangers would be signing a quality defender, even if they need to wait a few more weeks."