Magic: Madjid Bougherra insists he is pleased to still be in Glasgow with Rangers. Pic: ©SNS Group
Madjid Bougherra insists he is happy the transfer deadline has passed without a move away from Rangers. The Algerian defender was the subject of persistent speculation during the summer window but came through the late frenzy without a firm offer for his services.
Rangers fans had feared the loss of their influential central defender, who impressed at the 2010 World Cup with his country as they took on Slovenia, England and the USA.
German clubs Schalke, Stuttgart and Hamburg were amongst those linked with a bid which then failed to materialise and Bougherra says he is pleased he is instead staying in Glasgow.
“I'm officially with Rangers for another season,” Bougherra told the Scottish Sun. “It's now certain I won't be leaving the club this year.
“I'm happy at Ibrox. I feel very comfortable in Glasgow and I am more than happy to stay with Rangers until the end of the season at least.
“There's nothing more I can ask for. My family are happy here and I am happy on the pitch.”
Bougherra, who moved north in 2008 from Charlton Athletic, came close to leaving for Bordeaux last summer but turned down the opportunity to return to his country of birth to stay with the SPL champions.
The 27-year-old had continually batted away talk of him leaving the club in the summer transfer window, insisting he would prefer to remain part of Walter Smith’s squad and play in this season’s Champions League.
Bougherra, who has 45 international caps, has two years left on his contract with the Scottish club, having penned a four-year deal when he moved from England.
