Madjid Bougherra set to leave Rangers after turning down contract (original) (raw)

Bougherra set for summer exit after turning down new Rangers deal

By Updated: 21:24 EST, 10 April 2011

Madjid Bougherra claimed on Sunday to have turned down a new two-year contract extension from Rangers - and said he is determined to leave this summer.

The Algerian centre-half, who has just over a year to run on his existing deal, said: 'Rangers offered me a chance to extend my contract by another two years - but I politely refused.

'I have spent three wonderful years here in Glasgow and I want to try a new challenge. I have one year left of my contract with Rangers and everything depends on discussions I have with the people in charge of the club.

On his way: Madjid Bougherra has turned down a new deal at Rangers

'My priority is to play in the Premier League, for sure. Now if it does not happen, I shall go and play in either Turkey or the Gulf countries. But for now, I'm still at Rangers and we still have a lot to play for this season. I've not left Rangers yet.'

Rangers boss Walter Smith said he wasn't aware of any contract offer made by chief executive Martin Bain, insisting: 'That wasn't my understanding of how things had gone. Martin was in discussions with his agent but he's never mentioned that to me.'