‘Madjid Bougherra! Madjid
Bougherra! Oh Madjid, Madjid Bougherra! Oh Madjid, Madjid Bougherra! He’s….. better than Carlos Cuellar!’
This magical song was sang proudly by the Rangers faithful for three glorious years, as Bougherra was instrumental in several consecutive seasons at Ibrox, bringing much success to the Scottish club. Having signed from Charlton Athletic, there was no doubting that he had ability due to his already experienced playing career in English football.
£2.5million in the summer of 2008 was a rather hefty fee paid for a club north of the border, but fortunately for Rangers, large expectations were rewarded with even larger rewards. Wearing the number 24 shirt, he joined the likes of Allen McGregor, Charlie Adam and Steven Naismith and donned the royal blue jersey. Within a month of signing on the dotted line, the centre-half got his first goal for the club in a convincing home win over Hibs. Only a League Cup defeat to fierce rivals Celtic prevented the team from achieving the treble.
Bougherra was not a defender that you would want to mess with. Eight yellow cards on his debut season was more than any other player in the division, not to mention the one sending off he received too. He started in 39 matches, and played a solid key role at the back, and forming a central defensive partnership with Scotsman David Weir. Walter Smith’s warriors conceded just 28 goals in 38 SPL games and subsequently pipped Celtic to the title. Could they repeat the feet in the second season though?
February 28th 2010.
Where were you?
‘Stoppage time. Kevin Thompson’s
corner. It’s Bougherraaa!’
The North African’s low drive was struck on target, only for a smart stop from Boruc to stop him scoring and Edu finishing home the rebound in the last seconds of the game. Arguably the Old Firm tie that swung the title Rangers’ way in Bougherra’s second year, his assist and involvement in the goal gives Goosebumps just watching it back.
‘Maurice Edu, right at the end.
Rangers take a massive step towards back-to-back titles!’
When reflecting on the last gasp winner, the co-commentator commended Bougherra for his role.
‘I think we’ve just seen a goal that has won the championship. Here comes Bougherra, back post, lovely touch on his chest and Boruc does reasonably well, and Edu certainly wasn’t going to miss from two yards.’
Bougherra actually finished the season with the same goal tally as Edu, and the club lifted the SPL once again in 2009/2010.
His final season for Rangers showed what he was all about. An aerial threat, both defensively and offensively, made sure the majority of crosses put into the penalty area were cleared with ease. His vocal presence also helped to aid his teammates, and crunching tackles always slowed down the opposition; 14 yellow cards in 2010/2011. Two goals in 47 appearances capped off another fantastic campaign. Bougherra also was the man of the match in the opening Champions League game away at Old Trafford. Over 74,000 people were present. Winning the SPL by a point this time, it capped off an indeed magical career for the international at Ibrox.
It is no coincidence that during Bougherra’s tenure at the Gers, the team won the Scottish Premiership title in every single campaign, not to mention a Scottish Cup triumph in 2009 in addition to the Scottish League Cup title in the year of 2011. The Algerian is arguably what the club are desperately in need of now. Commitment, authority and solidarity to the football club on your shirt.
