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.But since signing for Paris St Germain that summer, the winger has now gone almost four years without sampling Europe's premier club competition.The 31-year-old was recently on the brink of joining German club Schalke, while Blackburn were also keen to secure his services.But as soon as Rangers came calling, there was only one place Rothen wanted to be.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."Obviously, we got all the way to the final with Monaco and then I've had opportunities after that."It's the competition that's created the most memories for me as a player."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."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."Rangers are a big club and they're involved in Champions League competition and that helped to make up my mind."Rothen dismissed any notion of joining Blackburn once he heard of Rangers' interest."It was more important to come here," said Rothen, who jetted into Glasgow this morning to complete the formalities of his transfer."Obviously Blackburn came in first before Rangers. They don't really have the same ambitions as a club."Here, I have the chance to win awards, to win titles."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."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."I've obviously played alongside Dado Prso and Jeremy Clement, who told me about how big a club they are."I really, really want to play here. I can't wait to experience the atmosphere in the stadium."Also the facilities here are top-class - this is a top-class club."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.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.But the player is hoping to secure a longer-term deal if all goes well this season."I would like to stay longer," he said."Obviously, the club has great ambitions this year and we're going to give everything."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.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."He is a player that is well known to a lot of our staff."I have also seen him play over a long period at Monaco and PSG so we know what he brings."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."We have used a few boys there in the past and, to be fair to them, it's not really been their natural position."Jerome has been a left-sided winger for his entire career, so hopefully he will bring a good balance to our team."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."