McCoist wards off Bougherra suitors

25 July 2011 18:00

Rangers manager Ally McCoist is determined to retain the services of Madjid Bougherra despite interest from the Middle East.

The Scottish champions have rejected an offer from Qatar champions Lekhwiya for the Algerian defender. Bougherra is now in the final year of his contract but McCoist is keen for the player to remain at Ibrox.

"I would hope his future would lie here but there has been a bid received which we have knocked back from a team in Qatar," said McCoist.

"That's where we are at the moment. I don't want Madjid going anywhere, especially not at this stage of the season when it's incredibly important for everybody. He played on Saturday and he did fine on Saturday. He is the same as every player at this club, there will be transfer interest and speculation, but you just have to handle it.

"You have to remember what your job is and your job is to turn up and train and play. I don't have any worries, I would hope that Madjid would know that, as would the rest of the boys."

McCoist is keen to bolster his defensive options and believes Romania international Dorin Goian will be a worthwhile addition to the squad. The Palermo defender is close to completing his move to Glasgow after a fee was agreed between the two clubs.

McCoist said: "He's a very experienced centre-half. Strong, aggressive, tall. It's definitely something we need.

"We have been a little bit short defensively for cover and he will be a welcome addition to the team and the squad. I think what you see is what you get, he is a strong, aggressive defender who will attack the ball and win his challenges."

McCoist also refused to rule out a further bid for St Johnstone midfielder Murray Davidson, after Rangers' first offer was rejected last week.

He said: "All I can tell is that our initial bid was knocked back by St Johnstone and we haven't gone back in yet. There probably would be a chance we would go back but I can't say for definite."

Source: PA