Source: Team_Talk
Bougherra: Smith is simply the best
Madjid Bougherra has hailed Walter Smith for making him the player he is today, dubbing the Rangers boss the best manager he has worked under.[LNB] Algeria defender Bougherra has become one of the Ibrox club's prize assets since joining them from Charlton almost two years ago and inevitably has been linked with big-money moves away.[LNB]The 27-year-old, who has now helped Rangers win four major trophies, credits Smith as the first manager to unlock his true potential.[LNB]"When I came to Rangers, my life changed," said the 27-year-old.[LNB]"Everything is fantastic. I learned a mentality, I progressed.[LNB]"I'm this player because Rangers gave me the opportunity."[LNB]He added of Smith, who on Sunday night completed a clean sweep of Scottish Manager of the Year awards with the Professional Footballers' Association Scotland prize: "He gives me the confidence that, on the pitch, I can do what I want.[LNB]"Where I was before, some gaffers didn't want me to run. I need this to come into the game.[LNB]"If I've done well this season, it is because he gave me this confidence."[LNB]Asked if Smith was the best manager he had played for, Bougherra said: "Yes, 100%, 100%."[LNB]And he urged Smith to stay at Ibrox next season amid fears the 62-year-old could quit due to the uncertainty over the ownership of the debt-laden club.[LNB]"You can see the titles he wins, the experience," said Bougherra.[LNB]"We have done everything with him and I hope he stays.[LNB]"I can't understand why he'd leave because he's the best manager we have in Scotland."[LNB]Few players' futures have been under as much scrutiny as Bougherra's this season, with the defender quoted both saying he would gladly see out the remaining two years of his Rangers contract and that he was eager for a return to the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]He was similarly non-committal last night.[LNB]"I'm very happy here," said the centre-back, who is focused on being fit for Algeria's World Cup campaign.[LNB]"If I stay, I'm very happy and if I have to leave one day, that's life.[LNB]"In both cases, I'm happy."[LNB]Bougherra has endured an injury-hit season and has missed Rangers' last two games with a calf problem, including the win at Hibernian that clinched the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title nine days ago.[LNB]He will sit out tomorrow's Old Firm derby but could return for the season finale against Motherwell.[LNB]However, he is not prepared to risk his World Cup dream.[LNB]He said: "It's better to have some games in the legs.[LNB]"But, at this stage, you have to be very careful about taking any risk because the job is done: we have won the title.[LNB]"If you have something bad in your body, don't take a risk because the big thing is coming: the World Cup."[LNB]Bougherra was speaking after collecting the Goal of the Season award at PFA Scotland's annual dinner in Glasgow last night.[LNB]The defender was honoured for his stunning solo effort in December's 7-1 SPL rout of Dundee United.[LNB]He recalled: "We were 6-1 up and I was still hungry to score.[LNB]"So I took the ball from the back, I ran for a while and then I saw a space in front of me.[LNB]"I didn't want to pass the ball so I tried to do something.[LNB]"I scored in the end, so it was beautiful."[LNB]
