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Bougherra: Raring to go

Bougherra: Raring to go

Bougherra makes Gers vow

Madjid Bougherra has vowed to help Rangers claim a domestic treble even though he admits he is experiencing one of the most demanding seasons of his career.

The defender returned from representing Algeria at the African Nations Cup and was drafted straight back into the team in place of the suspended David Weir for Saturday's goalless Active Nation Scottish Cup tie at St Mirren.

Bougherra says he has been keeping tabs on his club-mates' progress while in Angola and sees no reason when the Scottish champions cannot manage a domestic clean sweep this term.

And, despite the World Cup finals in South Africa also looming, he is determined to give his all to boost Rangers' cause even though it could take its toll personally.

He said: "It's going to be very hard because this is a big season for me and I need to be very careful about the recovery.

"I will do my best and I have some programmes to stay fit. You have to give 100% and I will do my best.

"When I was in Angola I followed the team and when I saw that we were in the [Co-operative Insurance Cup] final and 10 points clear in the SPL and still in this cup, it was a big motivation.

"Personally, to have a treble here is very important to me and all the players and then the World Cup is very important."

Bougherra was in fine form as the fifth-round cup tie ended in stalemate, making two last-gasp clearances to keep the holders in the competition.

But he insists 18-year-old Danny Wilson - who he partnered for the first time in the heart of defence - also deserves some of the credit.

He said: "I cleared the ball but I was very pleased with the defence. It was difficult because St Mirren had good crosses and big lads up front but me, Danny, Kirk Broadfoot and Steven Smith did well because we have a clean sheet.

"I'm very pleased with Danny Wilson. He is a good player and he has a good future. He is 18 and he played like me and Davie, players with experience."

Both teams must do it all again on Wednesday week to determine who reaches the last eight, before meeting again in next month's Co-operative Insurance Cup final.

Bougherra added: "We are still in the cup, we've had a good run before and we didn't lose. We have another game at Ibrox at home so we are still confident."

However, Saints striker Billy Mehmet dismissed suggestions that the Paisley club had just squandered their best chance to eliminate Rangers.

"That's what they will be thinking but we just have to go there and be positive and play the way we know we can," he said.

"If we do that, we will hopefully cause an upset. We know it will be difficult at Ibrox but I'm sure if we play the way we did against Hearts on Tuesday we could get through.

"The last 20 minutes or so, I thought we maybe could have nicked it. But, if you go into a cup game and get a replay against Rangers, you've got to be happy, especially after the week we've had.

"We had a hard game on Tuesday and to then play the way we did against Rangers was a credit to the lads."

Posted: 07/02/10 13:49

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