Source: FOOTYMAD
Potential Prizes Keep Players
Being still in with a shout of picking up silverware is an attractive carrot to dangle to keep players on board. David Weir is pleased to be still able to link up with Madjid Bougherra in the Rangers defence now that the January transfer window has closed. Bougherra has been the subject of constant speculation over his future with the defender being linked with Barcelona and Sevilla, after his performances at the African Nations Cup having reportedly caught the eye of the Spanish giants. However, Weir considers that the chance to win silverware is as good a reason as any for him to stay in Glasgow. Weir and Bougherra were back in the heart of defence for the first time since the latter's return from Angola as Rangers earned a 1-1 draw at Motherwell on Wednesday night. He said: "I'm not really surprised he is still here but Madjid is a top player so I'm sure clubs will be interested in him as clubs are always interested in good players. But I think Madjid has stated he is happy here and it's a good place to play football. He has a chance of winning trophies and that's a big incentive for him to stay." Another player who has been the subject of much speculation is Kris Boyd, who scored the equaliser at Fir Park on his first start since recovering from a double hernia operation. The goal took his total for the season to 20 goals so far and Weir reckons he still has a major part to play in the title race. Weir said: "That's what Kris does. He has just come back from his hernia operation and had about 20 minutes at the weekend and he has played again last night and scored a goal. That's what he does and he will continue to do that. He has done it all his career. If you get Kris on the pitch and in the box, there is no doubt he is going to score goals. That's going to be a big benefit to us for the rest of the season." The gap between Celtic and leaders rangers is down to eight points thanks to the Parkhead side's midweek win over Hearts. There is still many a slip possible and Weir insisted: "I don't think anybody has ever said it's over. There will be twists and turns - that's the nature of the game. There will be points dropped by everybody in the league and I don't think we'll be any different. We judge ourselves against ourselves and where we are. We look at the level of performances and the level of application. Last night we had a slow start and, until they scored, they were the better team. After they scored, I thought we were the dominant team. We didn't lose the game and that's the main thing. Motherwell made it really difficult for us and you have to give them credit. They put a lot into the game and scored a great goal and sometimes you've got to respond to that. There is not a lot you can do about a goal like that and the only response is to try and win the game after that. After they scored, I thought we made a good job of trying to win the game." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
