Source: Team_Talk
Alexander to focus on Rangers
eil Alexander hopes to put pen to paper on a new deal with Rangers within the next 10 days - even though it could damage his Scotland hopes.[LNB] The goalkeeper will be back between the sticks for Tuesday's Co-operative Insurance Cup tie against Dunfermline but has come to terms with the fact that he will almost always be second choice to Allan McGregor.[LNB]His lack of first-team action resulted in his omission from Craig Levein's squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Liechtenstein, with Blackpool's Matt Gilks drafted into the fold instead.[LNB]But, as far as Alexander is concerned, international football is a sacrifice he is willing to make as long as he can extend his career with the Scottish champions.[LNB]He hopes to agree to at least another three years at Rangers in the coming days and said: "It's very pleasing and it's a great confidence-booster for myself at the moment.[LNB]"I want to be at the club and the manager is keen to extend my deal so I must be doing something right.[LNB]"It's difficult not playing but it's one that I understand. I know regardless of how well I do tomorrow night, or how badly I do, I'm going to be back on the bench at the weekend.[LNB]"But it's fantastic to be at a club like this and I've been fortunate to play in four cup finals and Old Firm games. It's fantastic to be here, and I'm very proud to be part of what's going on at Rangers at the moment.[LNB]"Why would I want to leave? It's a great club and I'm very happy on and off the pitch here.[LNB]"I think a goalkeeper's circumstances are different to anybody else really. You know who's the number one and you know who's the number two and you sort of accept that fact.[LNB]"Although you work hard off the pitch and try your best to play, I know at the end of the day that Allan is the number one and, if fit, he'll play."[LNB]Levein was keen to have a closer look at Gilks, who qualifies for the national team through a Scottish grandparent, and Alexander has no problems with the Scotland boss keeping his options open.[LNB]He said: "He phoned me just before he announced the squad. He said he was going to leave me out and have a look at another option. That's fair enough and I can totally understand the situation.[LNB]"If I'm not playing first-team football, I can't really expect to be in the Scotland squad. I've been fortunate to be in because of the injury to Craig Gordon and things like that and I've been on the bench one or two times.[LNB]"It's great and I love it but I'm paid to be at Rangers and that's my main priority.[LNB]"When I first signed for Rangers, I knew I was going to be number two. And I knew that could be the end of my Scotland career. I don't want that to happen and I'm very proud to play for my country.[LNB]"It was a situation I had to give a lot of thought to and it was part of my decision that I'd give it up just to be at a club like Rangers.[LNB]"I enjoy coming in to work every day, it's a great bunch of lads and we are challenging for cups and league winners' medals and the Champions League every year so why would I want to leave?"[LNB]While Alexander's contract negotiations are set to be completed soon, there is no such resolution in sight for Kenny Miller, who is also in the final year of his Rangers contract.[LNB]The striker is enjoying the best form of his career, with a double at the weekend taking his tally to eight goals in five SPL outings, as well as a goal for Scotland against Liechtenstein.[LNB]Alexander said: "He's in the form of his life to be honest. Without his goals, maybe we wouldn't have started as well as we have.[LNB]"The same comments were made about Kris Boyd last year but Kenny has done fantastically well and we've not really missed Boydy to be honest and that's thanks to Kenny Miller.[LNB]"We feel we need Kenny's goals and his all-round play. He has been different class at the start of the season and hopefully that can continue a lot longer."[LNB]Rangers boss Walter Smith had nothing but praise for Alexander and hopes the new deal will be signed soon.[LNB]He said: "He has been fantastic since he's been here. He had a long spell of playing when Allan was out injured and that was to his benefit and it was to our benefit as well because he was excellent when he came in.[LNB]"We feel for him that he maybe doesn't get the games but I think he knows how much he is appreciated here and I think that helps soften the blow of not playing on a regular basis.[LNB]"The Scotland thing I would think would be solely down to the fact that he doesn't get that many matches but I think Craig (Levein) will know, if called upon, he's got an excellent goalkeeper to come in and help him.[LNB]"Neil has had a fair number of games over a period of time for us but Allan McGregor has been absolutely excellent for us and it's difficult for Neil but I think he appreciates the circumstances and hopefully, over the next few weeks, he will sign a new contract with us.[LNB]"There have been talks for a few months and we are hopeful he will stay with us. I can't speak highly enough of him."
