chilledbear 16 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Defender who was not sold on Rangers has bought into move Martin McMillan The defender's imperfect command of English compels him to digest the question fully before offering a response. The same reaction was evident when Rangers pushed a contract under his nose and asked him to sign. A move to British football appealed to the Lyon defender, just not one like that. Not at first, anyway. The Frenchman was not entirely at ease with the change of scenery; a trial at the club forced into the Scottish third division following another at Leeds United after his time at Lyon was brought to an end. A former France youth internationalist, a few seasons traipsing around the lower leagues would take Faure a little too far from home comforts. Merci, mais non merci. What changed his mind was stepping foot in Ibrox. The idea of playing front of a packed house appealed to the ambitious footballer in Faure, regardless of who he would be sharing the pitch with. Once that appetite was sated the defender developed a hunger for helping Rangers back into the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. "When my agent told me Rangers were interested, I wasn't that keen, especially with the club being in that position," says the former Lyon defender. "I went over and trained with Rangers, then watched them play a game with over 30,000 fans at the stadium. Ally McCoist told me they liked me and negotiations were easy. I signed for three years. "I was getting bored of football in France and I wanted to move to the UK. I had a trial with Leeds United. It's a great opportunity for me and I get to learn the language too. "The plan is to move up rung by rung until we get to the Scottish Premier League. That is something that really interests me. I'm at a big club and I have the opportunity to build a great adventure. "The lure of playing for Rangers is stronger than anything. You must understand, Rangers are a religion. It took me a month to discover that, but it's amazing." As his appreciation for the club grows so will his understanding of the demands he is playing under. A win over Premier League leaders Motherwell in the Scottish Communities League Cup on Wednesday night felt defiant to those in the stands, while it offered the players a respite from the reality of where they are. They will be offered the chance to prove themselves against another top-flight team in the next round and perhaps even Celtic – "Everyone at the club expects this is what will happen. We would still have to win, even against Celtic. It's in the DNA of the club," says Faure – and the fervent atmosphere that would bring would serve to vindicate Faure's decision to move to Scotland in the summer. He left behind the comfort of training with Lyon but has since discovered some perks of being at Rangers do not translate so well into French football. "The crowds here are what convinced me to sign. Our first league game, there was 49,000 people. The second had 46,000 and the third 45,000," says the 21-year-old. "Somehow, I don't think Lyon would get that amount of fans if they were in the French Fourth Division. This is another world from Lyon. "My parents were at a match and what surprised them was that 20 minutes before kick off the ground is empty. Then just before the game starts, the crowds appear in the stands. It seems to me there is this massive blue tide that suddenly appears. "I love this environment and we take thousands of fans away as well. The country lives for football, everyone is interested. Of course, this creates enormous pressure for us – we aren't allowed to lose. In fact, even if we draw, it's a disaster." The contentment he felt on Wednesday will have been foreign to him whenever Rangers went on the road, then; his side seemingly unable to rouse themselves when trotting out into more modest arenas. Rangers will face Forres Mechanics in the second round of the Scottish Cup tomorrow. Yet Faure preferred to praise the standard of sides he has been faced with. "I played in the lower leagues in France and it's high balls all game. Here the defenders build from the back," he says. "It's their intensity that is huge. For them, it's a game of their lives to play Rangers. This current difficulty in the league makes the story even more beautiful." 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,890 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 An excellent interview and some very sensible words from the lad. I like the look of Faure and, if he can stay clear of injury, I think he could prove to be a clever signing. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovanAllan 0 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Another one falls in love, great words young man. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWeeBlueDevil 0 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Quality from Faure. Looks the part and clearly has a passion for the club. Good find by the coaching staff. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuznetsov 0 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 magic stuff there. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Him ad the Greek chap look good prospects. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexscottislegend 2,688 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Let's hope there's no requiem for Faure (been waiting ages to make that pun) 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUDE 0 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Good lad, he seems to have his head straight. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ibroxted Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Well said Sebastian. He is only 20 and will only get better and better.Has he hit on something here? Can we officially become a religion? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54andcounting 0 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Yet Faure preferred to praise the standard of sides he has been faced with. "I played in the lower leagues in France and it's high balls all game. Here the defenders build from the back," he says. /QUOTE] Great stuff from the boy, but have to wonder what he thought of the team he'd signed for up until just a game and a half ago? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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