the goal machine 7,824 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 MADJID BOUGHERRA has revealed he turned down the chance to quit Rangers in January. And the Double-winning stopper reckons it's the best decision he ever made. Bougherra was targeted by relegation-haunted Newcastle United for a bank-busting move to Tyneside. But the Algerian rejected a quickfire return south and was rewarded with the biggest honours in the Scottish game. Ex-Charlton ace Bougy said: "Newcastle made an offer for me, but I took the right decision to stay with Rangers. "I felt that they are the right club for me. "I did not want to make the same mistake I made two years ago, when I left Sheffield Wednesday for Charlton. "I knew that I was going to win something with Rangers and that there would be the Champions League for me at the end. I've got absolutely no regrets about staying. The Rangers fans have welcomed me with open arms. They love me and I love them too. "It has been a beautiful season for me at Rangers. "I've won the Double, been voted the Rangers fans' player of the year, and will have the chance of entering the Champions League at the group stage. "It's been a perfect campaign for me and if Algeria beat Egypt on Saturday it'll be the icing on the cake." Gers landed Bougy last August after selling fans' favourite Carlos Cuellar to Aston Villa for £8million. The 26-year-old formed a rock-solid defensive pairing with veteran Ibrox stopper David Weir. They celebrated a league and cup Double after a remarkable run of ten wins and one draw from their last 11 games. And France-born Bougherra insists his maiden season in Scotland just got better and better. He added: "There have been three turning points to our season. Firstly when we beat Dundee United and Celtic lost. Then there was our 1-0 win over Celtic, which was the real turning point, and also our win in the Scottish Cup Final. "I struggled a bit early in the season but I truly exploded once January had gone. "I felt more at home in the second half of the campaign and really made progress. "I enjoy making charges upfield and I have to pay tribute to the coaching staff. "They let me express myself on the ball. And I have improved my skills playing for the Algerian national side. People in Scotland are unused to seeing defenders with technique. "I can't wait to see who'll be in our Champions League group." Gers will be among the third group of seeds for the draw in Monte Carlo in August. That means they're unlikely to be paired with French champs Bordeaux or runners-up Marseille. Advertisement But Walter Smith's men could face Lyon for the second time in three years. And Bougy has set his heart on tackling some French opposition. He added: "We will have a minimum of six games in Europe, even if we get knocked out straight away. "I hope we will have a French team in our group, so I can show people in France that it is possible to go abroad and still be a success. "I would prefer us to meet Lyon or Marseille. I'd favour Marseille as I want to play against my friend Karim Ziani and they are the club I have supported since I was a boy. "But Lyon would be good too, they are not far away from Dijon where I was born." Bougherra has been hailed by team-mate Kenny Miller for playing a key role in the Double win. He and midfielder Steve Davis were both signed after the Euro KO in Kaunas. And Miller believes that their arrival really kickstarted Gers' season. The hitman said: "All of the new players have come in and done really well. "Madjid has made a great impact. He has been an absolute rock in the defence. "When it comes to big games, he is the man who comes to the fore. "I would also make a special mention of Steve as I feel he has been the player of the season for us. "He has been outstanding. Every game he is always there, working hard for the team. The quality he brings is immense, he would be on my teamsheet every week." Miller also wants Gers to make strides in the Champions League next season, NINE years after he scored against Monaco in Europe. He added: "We would like to think at Rangers we have a big stature as a club. "Now there's now the lure of Champions League football next season for prospective signings." http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/ho...-to-say-no.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamFyfe 1,438 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Good choice mate cause you'd been stuck in the Championship next season instead of the Champions League Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lidorfc 6,685 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Good choice mate cause you'd been stuck in the Championship next season instead of the Champions League or he could have saved them from losing 1 or 2 games and kept them up either way glad he stayed, what a fuckin player! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
demise 3,581 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Magic & Kenny Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootSpeedKillLight 0 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 I really like Bougherra, and he's a quality player, but I seem to remember another Rangers CB saying something similar about a year ago. I'd love it if he stayed, but who knows what the transfer window will bring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManchestGer 347 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Can't wait to see Boogie and the rest of the boys in the Champions League. He made the right decision to stay with Rangers and its paid off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeacare 9 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Sounds as if he wants to finish off what he started. Great to have him aboard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dietspam 733 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Sounds as if he wants to finish off what he started. Great to have him aboard. Hit the nail on the head there. Boogie has a lot of unfinished business at Ibrox. We'll see him there for another couple of years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coopermania 1 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I heard he was last, or just about last off the pitch at the Cup Final (had his family there) so that would suggest hes happy at the club. Long may it continue. Turned out to be a great buy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintbob1969 1,514 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 'Mon the Algeria! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluepeter9 5,167 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I think without CL football we would have strugled to keep him, and we may still do, BUT he seems happy and we do have CL footballl so fingers crossed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
strar8 55 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 "i truly exploded once January had gone" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
outlaw69uk 123 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I LOVE this bit haha, so true "I enjoy making charges upfield and I have to pay tribute to the coaching staff. "They let me express myself on the ball. And I have improved my skills playing for the Algerian national side. People in Scotland are unused to seeing defenders with technique. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueballss 2,975 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I really like Bougherra, and he's a quality player, but I seem to remember another Rangers CB saying something similar about a year ago. I'd love it if he stayed, but who knows what the transfer window will bring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy500 463 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 He is becoming almost like a better more loyal version of Boumsong. One of my favourite players, and hope he comes back next year and has a new partner to help him shut out the Champions League strike forces. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaneRalfRoss 306 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 he made right choice stayin with us. If he went 2 newcastle he would be playin shitty championship football. With us he can play in champions league football. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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