Smith gives backing to Bougherra

03 December 2009 07:56
And the Ibrox full-back insists it is time to move on from Bougherra's indiscretions and just be grateful he is available to play for the team again.[LNB]The altercation at Murray Park occurred last week after Miller had accused Bougherra of a lack of respect following the defender's late return from international duty with Algeria for a third time this season.[LNB]But Smith said: "I've been here for years and I've seen a lot of things like that happening.[LNB]"This is the only one that I've seen really being blown out of proportion. The Madjid situation was also blown out of proportion.[LNB]"We just want our best players playing and to be fit and available for selection and Madjid is one of our best players, if not the best player.[LNB]"We are all just glad he's back now and available for selection for us. I don't think it's a major problem. Madjid is a good pro.[LNB]"He has turned up late a few times but he apologised for that and we accept it and move on.[LNB]"We want him back playing and playing the way he was before he went away with his national team."[LNB]Former Rangers skipper Richard Gough this week told the current crop of players to do their fighting on the pitch, rather than scrapping off it.[LNB]Smith said: "If anybody watched the game on Saturday, they would say that was fair comment.[LNB]"When you go to places like Aberdeen, you know what you're getting, you are getting a really tough game. When you turn up, you need to win the battle first and we didn't do that.[LNB]"On that game, I would say he was being honest. But, over the piece, it's harsh criticism of the team we've got just now.[LNB]"Last season we had question marks against us when we went seven points behind Celtic but we came back and won the title.[LNB]"We are getting question marks against us again this year and we need to answer them in the same way."[LNB]The defeat at Aberdeen saw Rangers surrender top spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League to bitter rivals Celtic, and Smith believes hard graft more than anything else is needed to rediscover top form.[LNB]He said: "We just need to get back to working hard. We are not blessed with individually great players.[LNB]"I think all the success we've had has been based on working hard and having a good work ethic but we've not been doing that.[LNB]"When you don't do that - and you haven't got the individual players - then you are going to struggle."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk