Madjid Bougherra has refuted claims he wants to leave Rangers this summer, saying he wants to stay and play in the Champions League with the SPL champions. The Algerian defender has been linked with Galatasaray this week, with his agent claiming the Turkish club had held preliminary talks with his current employers.
Bougherra, who moved to Glasgow from Charlton Athletic in 2008, had also reportedly turned down a new four-year deal to stay with Rangers in recent weeks. With an appearance at the World Cup forthcoming, it was thought he could be on his way to pastures new, with the large transfer fee his services would likely command going towards investing in new players.
The central defender however says he has no interest in moving to a club which can’t guarantee him Champions League football next season, unlike Rangers, and says he would rather stay and work with manager Walter Smith.
“I am happy to stay and I will give Rangers 200 per cent,” Bougherra told the Scottish Sun. “I have two years left on my contract and I have not asked to negotiate.
“I have never asked for a contract and I plan to be back for pre-season training after the World Cup.
“I would prefer to stay and win trophies and play in the Champions League with Rangers than go to a club which can't give me these things.”
A whole host of clubs have been linked with a move for Bougherra this summer, with Galatasaray’s name being joined by the likes of Barcelona, Newcastle and Panathinaikos.
The 27-year-old though isn’t interested in entertaining too much talk about his future, instead saying he would rather stay and fight along with Smith, who signed a one-year contract to see out his career in football this week.
Bougherra believes Smith has it in him to deliver title success for the third consecutive season at Ibrox and says the move by Rangers to hold onto their boss will encourage him to shun overtures from elsewhere.
“Walter deserves his contract,” Bougherra said. “After working for months without a deal, people can't say he's at Rangers just for the money.
“He is staying as he loves the club and everything the club has achieved in the past three years is down to him.
“This will be his last season but he has the strength and personality to build one more team and win the title again.
“Walter signing his contract is better for me. He knows my style, he knows my game and he's been great with me.”
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