lallan
12-14-2004, 02:16 PM
The French defender is just 24 years old and is a very good defender...
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I WOULD ONLY QUIT GERS FOR REAL MADRID Dec 14 2004
By Roddy Thomson
JEAN-ALAIN BOUMSONG last night dispelled all doubt over his future by declaring: 'Unless Real Madrid come in, I'm not interested in leaving Rangers.'
The 24-year-old French defender has kept his personal thoughts to himself since Graeme Souness first indicated his plans for a £5million January transfer swoop by Newcastle United.
As David Murray's closest pal, Ibrox fans feared another Barry Ferguson deal when the next FIFA window opens on New Year's Day.
But just as Auxerre arrived in Glasgow after their flight was delayed due to freezing fog in France, Boumsong spelled out his views on the speculation.
And it seems his special rapport with boss Alex McLeish holds the key to his stated loyalty to the Ibrox cause.
Boumsong told Record Sport: 'If offers come in over the January window, it would-be rude not to study them closely.
'It is, of course, up to the club to place any proposals in front of me but unless there is something really major on the table to force them to change their plans, I won't be changing mine.
'I have no great interest in quitting Glasgow at all.I'm very happy at Rangers. I like the physical side of the game in Scotland - it's been good for me already and my attitude is that there remains lots for me to learn here under Alex McLeish.
'I'm happy to continue my education under him, and enjoy playing in front of our fabulous fans.
'Frankly, unless Real Madrid were to come in for me, I'm really not interested in moving from Rangers at all.'
Boumsong's mentor and legendary Auxerre boss Guy Roux had earlier told the Rangers support to quit fretting over their much-coveted star player.
Roux regards the 24-year-old international - who has breezed into World Cup and European Championship winner Marcel Desailly's boots - as one of his favoured football sons.
He regularly entertains mother Marie Jeanne at the Abbe Deschamps Stadium.
Boumsong's teenage brother Isaac has also been placed under the protective custody of 66-year-old Roux,who is as close as anyone to the Rangers star's plans.
And even allowing for Souness' persuasiveness, Roux insists Boumsong - the Bosman steal of the summer - is just too honourable to walk out on Rangers, whatever the result in tomorrow's tie.
He cited McLeish's newly-enhanced reputation as a key factor and slaughtered predecessor Dick Advocaat in the process.
In an extraordinary interview,Roux said:'Boumsong has signed for five years at Rangers, and knowing him as I do, he is as loyal as he is honourable.
'I won't speculate on where he might end up but I know he is happy at Rangers.
'Another of my players who went to Glasgow, Stephane Guivarc'h,had the misfortune to be there under the wrong sort of manager. I know the way the Dutchman works - or doesn't work.
'Fortunately for Boum and the other players,I think Rangers have a very good manager today in Alex McLeish. I hear nothing but praise for the way he operates at his club.
'And I believe Boum will be France's first defensive pick for many years.'
That forecast suggests Roux's Auxerre collaborator of 42 years, club president Jean-Claude Hamel, may have a long wait before he can welcome Boumsong back to the club and an open-ended offer of a job for life. Hamel said: 'Boum' is someone who retains our total respect.
'He's intelligent, talented obviously as well. And the feeling is mutual,I believe.
'He always respects the colours he wears and I've no doubts he'll be exactly the same on Wednesday as he was with us.
'We could have sold him before the end of his deal because he had already said he'd be looking for a fresh adventure. But sometimes, it's not about money even in football - it's about respect.
'And it wasn't the first time we continued with a player we knew shared our commitment.
'Lots of our forme players have returned over the years - whether a players towards the end of their careers or to join Guy's technical staff.
'Some former players would be less welcome than others.
'But Jean-Alain can come back here and give his career something of a full circle - if he still wants to do something like that.'
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I WOULD ONLY QUIT GERS FOR REAL MADRID Dec 14 2004
By Roddy Thomson
JEAN-ALAIN BOUMSONG last night dispelled all doubt over his future by declaring: 'Unless Real Madrid come in, I'm not interested in leaving Rangers.'
The 24-year-old French defender has kept his personal thoughts to himself since Graeme Souness first indicated his plans for a £5million January transfer swoop by Newcastle United.
As David Murray's closest pal, Ibrox fans feared another Barry Ferguson deal when the next FIFA window opens on New Year's Day.
But just as Auxerre arrived in Glasgow after their flight was delayed due to freezing fog in France, Boumsong spelled out his views on the speculation.
And it seems his special rapport with boss Alex McLeish holds the key to his stated loyalty to the Ibrox cause.
Boumsong told Record Sport: 'If offers come in over the January window, it would-be rude not to study them closely.
'It is, of course, up to the club to place any proposals in front of me but unless there is something really major on the table to force them to change their plans, I won't be changing mine.
'I have no great interest in quitting Glasgow at all.I'm very happy at Rangers. I like the physical side of the game in Scotland - it's been good for me already and my attitude is that there remains lots for me to learn here under Alex McLeish.
'I'm happy to continue my education under him, and enjoy playing in front of our fabulous fans.
'Frankly, unless Real Madrid were to come in for me, I'm really not interested in moving from Rangers at all.'
Boumsong's mentor and legendary Auxerre boss Guy Roux had earlier told the Rangers support to quit fretting over their much-coveted star player.
Roux regards the 24-year-old international - who has breezed into World Cup and European Championship winner Marcel Desailly's boots - as one of his favoured football sons.
He regularly entertains mother Marie Jeanne at the Abbe Deschamps Stadium.
Boumsong's teenage brother Isaac has also been placed under the protective custody of 66-year-old Roux,who is as close as anyone to the Rangers star's plans.
And even allowing for Souness' persuasiveness, Roux insists Boumsong - the Bosman steal of the summer - is just too honourable to walk out on Rangers, whatever the result in tomorrow's tie.
He cited McLeish's newly-enhanced reputation as a key factor and slaughtered predecessor Dick Advocaat in the process.
In an extraordinary interview,Roux said:'Boumsong has signed for five years at Rangers, and knowing him as I do, he is as loyal as he is honourable.
'I won't speculate on where he might end up but I know he is happy at Rangers.
'Another of my players who went to Glasgow, Stephane Guivarc'h,had the misfortune to be there under the wrong sort of manager. I know the way the Dutchman works - or doesn't work.
'Fortunately for Boum and the other players,I think Rangers have a very good manager today in Alex McLeish. I hear nothing but praise for the way he operates at his club.
'And I believe Boum will be France's first defensive pick for many years.'
That forecast suggests Roux's Auxerre collaborator of 42 years, club president Jean-Claude Hamel, may have a long wait before he can welcome Boumsong back to the club and an open-ended offer of a job for life. Hamel said: 'Boum' is someone who retains our total respect.
'He's intelligent, talented obviously as well. And the feeling is mutual,I believe.
'He always respects the colours he wears and I've no doubts he'll be exactly the same on Wednesday as he was with us.
'We could have sold him before the end of his deal because he had already said he'd be looking for a fresh adventure. But sometimes, it's not about money even in football - it's about respect.
'And it wasn't the first time we continued with a player we knew shared our commitment.
'Lots of our forme players have returned over the years - whether a players towards the end of their careers or to join Guy's technical staff.
'Some former players would be less welcome than others.
'But Jean-Alain can come back here and give his career something of a full circle - if he still wants to do something like that.'