ian1964 10,710 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 By Gavin mcCAFFERTY RANGERS manager Walter Smith admits Madjid Bougherra is a major doubt for Saturday's clash against Kilmarnock after Algeria were forced into a World Cup play-off. The defender faces a qualification decider against arch-rivals Egypt in Sudan tonight after his country lost 2-0 in Cairo on Saturday. Emad Moteab headed home Egypt's crucial second goal five minutes into injury-time to leave both countries with iden ADVERTISEMENT tical records at the top of Group C in the African qualifying tournament. Bougherra played the full 90 minutes on his first appearance since an international against Rwanda on 11 October. The 27-year-old has not played for Rangers since the 4-1 defeat by Sevilla on 29 September. He missed the 2-1 victory over Celtic and had to sit out another win at St Johnstone when he returned late from international duty after his passport was stolen. Bougherra then suffered a knee injury in training and missed his club's subsequent five matches. The former Charlton defender is now not due back to Murray Park until Friday and Smith admits the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Kilmarnock at Ibrox may come too soon. "It's one of those things we could have been doing without, and I dare say Madjid could be doing without it as well," Smith said of the play-off. "I haven't heard yet how he has got through the game or if his injury has caused him any problems. "We'll obviously have to see how he is, considering the fact he'll have been away nearly a fortnight. He has not played for two or three weeks prior to that. So, having two games in such a short space of time, having not played much, it might be asking a bit much of him to be involved in Saturday's game." Meanwhile, Bougherra claims Algeria's players are fully fit and "ready for the war" with Egypt in neutral Sudan as the two teams chase the final African place in the 2010 World Cup After their last match was marred by violence on Saturday in Cairo and with thousands of fans flying in from Algeria and Egypt to see today's match, a massive security operation has been mounted in Khartoum with 15,000 police on the streets. "The full team is ready... for the war," said Bougherra while laughing. "Every player is okay." Three Algerian players suffered facial cuts when their bus was stoned on their arrival in Cairo last week. Attacks on Algerian supporters after Saturday's match left 20 injured and Egyptian businesses suffered extensive damage when vandalised in Algiers on Sunday. There was also rioting in Marseille, where French youths of Algerian origin went on the rampage. "Some people had mental (problems), it was very rough, we were afraid ââ?¬â?? some people were injured," said Bougherra. But he said the 9,000 fans due to arrive from Algeria had given them the confidence boost they needed. "We are confident, we feel comfortable ââ?¬â?? all recovered," he added. ââ?¬Â¢ Rangers played a closed-doors game against Dundee United yesterday but Kirk Broadfoot was not involved following a slight hitch in his bid to return from an eight-month lay-off. http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Madjid-Bougherra-unlikely-to-be.5833136.jp 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 5,560 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 "I haven't heard yet how he has got through the game or if his injury has caused him any problems. *shakes his head in disappointment at Bougherra's continued disregard for the club* 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Union City Blue 0 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 It's all going in the wrong direction with Bougherra Smith must be raging. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,486 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Pity as I'd love to see him and Wilson together at the back... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 He wont be risked? That's if he's even back in the country in time. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribz 791 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Pity as I'd love to see him and Wilson together at the back... Back 3 of Bougherra, Wilson and Papac would be great to see 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I am more and more leaning towards selling him. Cracking player but his complete and total contempt for our club is unacceptable. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totti 0 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Back 3 of Bougherra, Wilson and Papac would be great to see Back 3? Do you live in the 80's or something? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,710 Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 No reason why we can't play three at the back,certainly @ Ibrox 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Agreed Ian, with opposition only playing 1 up top there is no reason we can't play a 3-5-2 at Ibrox, especially if you have the pace of Bougherra and Wilson included. There would be no place for Weir in that formation IMO though. Do we really need 4 at the back to mark one striker ? With a 3-5-2 you also don't need to worry about the opposition midfield breaking to assist the lone striker IF your midfielders track back properly 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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