Rangers Boss McLeish Confident Over Boumsong

By Matthew Jones
November 27 2004

Rangers boss Alex McLeish is confident that Jean-Alain Boumsong will not be distracted by rumours linking him with a big-money move to Graeme Souness' Newcastle United. Souness has made it known that he would love to sign Boumsong in January, but the defender said he is happy at Rangers.

The France international has been labelled as "a quality central defender" by Souness, who is keen to sign at least three new defenders before the January transfer window closes.

With Rangers struggling financially, is it possible that a multi-million-pound offer would be too tempting for Ibrox chairman David Murray to reject.

McLeish is keen to keep the defender though, and is confident of doing so.

MCLEISH SAID:

"Jean-Alain seems to relish the big occasion. In the top-level games he's been a star for us.

"The talk won't unsettle Boumsong. He knows the score.

"I'm delighted he's done so well because you are always a bit worried, despite his great pedigree, that he might not do it.

"But he has settled in brilliantly and is playing great football.

"He has raised the bar when he's played in the big games. He is up for the special ones and that's where he's excelled."

BOUMSONG SAID:

"Yes, I am aware of their interest, but I will just wait and see.

"My first aim is to be happy where I am and at the moment I'm very happy here at Rangers.

"In football you never know, but I'm very proud to be a Rangers player.

"If we can win trophies and do well in Europe, who knows? I could spend the rest of my career here."

 

GRAEME SOUNESS SAID:

 

"I was in Paris last week and I think he's a very good player,

"He's with a very good club, a very big club at the moment in Glasgow Rangers.

"We're looking for defenders to strengthen our squad because we believe we're short at Newcastle in quality there, and he's one player we've been looking at.

"He, in my opinion, is a quality central defender."