Laurent Blanc expected Madjid Bougherra to join him at Bordeaux last season, only for the defender to stay with Rangers. Pic: ©SNS Group
New France coach Laurent Blanc has spoken out over his confusion at Madjid Bougherra’s decision to turn down a move to Bordeaux last summer to stay at Rangers. The Algerian defender was subject to a near £5 million move last July but turned down the opportunity to switch to the then Ligue 1 champions.
Bougherra, who continues to be subject to reported interest from clubs across Europe, is with Walter Smith’s side as they approach the end of a three-game trip to Australia. But Blanc, who left Bordeaux in the summer to take up the role as Les Bleus coach, says he had to reassess his spending last year after the 27-year-old rejected the opportunity to return to France.
“I know Madjid Bougherra because he failed to come to Bordeaux last season,” Blanc told Le Buteur. “I thought of him before I signed Michael Ciani.
“But for some obscure reason he decided not to come. We had to make do because these are things that can happen sometimes in football.”
When asked whether he felt Bougherra was worthy of playing at a higher level, Blanc responded: “I think so, in France or elsewhere.”
German sides Hamburg and Stuttgart are the most recent clubs to have been attributed with an interest in Bougherra, who moved to Scotland from Charlton Athletic in 2008.
BOUGHERRA'S RANGERS FUTURE
Previously of Sheffield Wednesday and Gueugnon, Bougherra has established himself as a fans’ favourite at Ibrox, while also becoming Rangers’ most valuable asset with a string of assured performances in the Champions League.
His stock grew ever higher when he shone for Algeria in the 2010 World Cup, playing on the right-hand side of a three-man defence. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was one of many to compliment Bougherra’s performances, which included a sterling showing in his country’s 0-0 draw with England.
Despite the continued speculation over his future, Bougherra – who has two years left to run on his contract with the SPL club – has persistently said his preference is to stay with Rangers. Speaking in May, the defender said: “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.”
