By ROBERT GRIEVE and ROGER HANNAH
Published: Today
MADJID BOUGHERRA has talked his way out of a Rangers fine - after Walter Smith accepted the stopper's reason for going AWOL.
Bougy faced showdown talks with Smith after missing Saturday's win at St Johnstone.
But the Gers boss has been convinced Bougherra was not at fault for failing to report back on time from international duty.
The Algerian revealed he had his bag containing his passport and phone stolen in Paris just before he was due to fly back to Glasgow.
Smith said: "Madjid has explained the circumstances which led him to be late back from international duty and I accept what he's had to say.
"Initially I was led to believe his belongings were stolen on Monday, but it turns out that happened on Thursday.
"In fairness, his agent contacted Ally McCoist and told him of the situation. Having now spoken to Madjid there's no problem.
"That is the matter closed now."
Bougherra, who watched the win in Perth on the internet, is now bracing himself for an epic autumn as Gers defend the SPL title and chase a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
He's also eyeing a place in both the World Cup Finals and African Cup of Nations when Algeria head for Egypt next month.
Bougherra, 27, said: "I would say this is probably going to be the most important month of my entire career for club and country.
"I hope to play against Unirea Urziceni on Tuesday and we know a win would help our chances of reaching the next phase.
"We also have some huge matches coming up in the league and I have one eye on the game against Egypt with Algeria."
Victory over Egypt would also send the Desert Foxes to the African finals in Angola in January - and rule out Bougy for up to a month of domestic action.
But he won't leave Scotland until after the Old Firm derby at New Year.