Source: Team_Talk
Rothen lured by Champions League
Rothen, who joined the Ibrox club on a season-long loan this afternoon, was one of the stars of Monaco's run to the 2004 final.[LNB]But since signing for Paris St Germain that summer, the winger has now gone almost four years without sampling Europe's premier club competition.[LNB]The 31-year-old was recently on the brink of joining German club Schalke, while Blackburn were also keen to secure his services.[LNB]But as soon as Rangers came calling, there was only one place Rothen wanted to be.[LNB]Speaking through a translator during his unveiling at the club's Murray Park training ground, he said: "The Champions League is a big draw for me. I've already had the chance to experience it.[LNB]"Obviously, we got all the way to the final with Monaco and then I've had opportunities after that.[LNB]"It's the competition that's created the most memories for me as a player.[LNB]"This year, I'm going to have the chance to participate again, whereas for the last few years I've only been able to watch it on TV."[LNB]He added: "Schalke were in for me as well and I then received a call from the staff here, the managers, and it made Me think more about coming here.[LNB]"Rangers are a big club and they're involved in Champions League competition and that helped to make up my mind."[LNB]Rothen dismissed any notion of joining Blackburn once he heard of Rangers' interest.[LNB]"It was more important to come here," said Rothen, who jetted into Glasgow this morning to complete the formalities of his transfer.[LNB]"Obviously Blackburn came in first before Rangers. They don't really have the same ambitions as a club.[LNB]"Here, I have the chance to win awards, to win titles."[LNB]Before making his decision, Rothen consulted former Ibrox players Dado Prso - who he played with at Monaco - and Jeremy Clement - currently a PSG team-mate.[LNB]"I already knew quite a lot about Rangers before I came here," said Rothen, who has been capped 13 times by France and was in their 2004 and 2008 European Championship squads.[LNB]"I've obviously played alongside Dado Prso and Jeremy Clement, who told me about how big a club they are.[LNB]"I really, really want to play here. I can't wait to experience the atmosphere in the stadium.[LNB]"Also the facilities here are top-class - this is a top-class club."[LNB]Rothen is Rangers' first signing for more than a year and they had not been expected to bring in any players before the transfer window closed.[LNB]The club have shipped out 10 players this summer in a bid to cut costs and it would be no surprise if they were unable to afford anything more than a loan move for Rothen.[LNB]But the player is hoping to secure a longer-term deal if all goes well this season.[LNB]"I would like to stay longer," he said.[LNB]"Obviously, the club has great ambitions this year and we're going to give everything."[LNB]Rothen had been earmarked as a potential candidate to fill Rangers' problem left-midfield position since they played PSG during the Emirates Cup in pre-season.[LNB]Manager Walter Smith told his club's official website, www.rangers.co.uk: "We are delighted to welcome Jerome to the club and I think he will be an excellent addition to our squad.[LNB]"He is a player that is well known to a lot of our staff.[LNB]"I have also seen him play over a long period at Monaco and PSG so we know what he brings.[LNB]"He has a great deal of experience which was, of course, a big thing for us and he can play on the left, which has been a position we have struggled to fill.[LNB]"We have used a few boys there in the past and, to be fair to them, it's not really been their natural position.[LNB]"Jerome has been a left-sided winger for his entire career, so hopefully he will bring a good balance to our team.[LNB]"He will leave us now and return on Monday ahead of our next SPL game, but I am sure all the boys will look forward to meeting him."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
