Spanish striker Pablo Couñago says he is being forced out of the club due to his high wages. The frontman turned down a trial at Rangers last week but admits that if the Scotish giants firm up their interest then he would consider it.

The former Celta Vigo man is the club's top earner on almost £20,000-a-week and Town's money men are keen to remove him from the payroll.

However, Couñago says he doesn't want to leave: "The manager told me last week that Rangers wanted me to go up to Scotland and train with them for a couple of days. I said no. I have a contract with Ipswich and do not want to leave.

"I don't know why the manager suddenly wants me to go. I have read in your newspaper that it is because I'm the highest wage earner and so it is about money but no one at the club has said that to me.

"I feel the fans want me here, I want to be here. I love this club, I love the town and I want to stay.

"I did not want to go on a trial to Rangers but if they offered me something more permanent I would now have to think about it as Ipswich have made it clear they want me to go."

The Spaniard blames his lack of form on his lack of first team opportunities and is keen for the transfer window to end: "Ideally, I would like to transfer window to close and then I can just concentrate on playing football.

"My agent has been handling all the talk and business but it is bound to affect a player. I have tried to focus on football but it is difficult to get into a rhythm when you are only playing a few minutes here and there, or 45 minutes as I did on Tuesday."

Celtaic are also being linked with the Couñago who joined the Blues on a Bosman in the summer of 2001.

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