Despite winning the SPL title with Rangers in each of his three seasons with the club, Madjid Bougherra has never been shy when it comes to his dream of playing in the Premier League. But even though there’s been constant speculation about him leaving Glasgow, it’s never seemed like any club was making a concerted effort to sign him.
Bougherra has already played in the Premier League, albeit briefly. He first arrived in England in 2006 when he joined Crewe on loan from French side Gueugnon. After Crewe were relegated, he signed for Sheffield Wednesday at the start of the 06/07 season. He made 28 league appearances for Wednesday before he joined Charlton in the 2007 January transfer window. Charlton were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season, but Bougherra stayed with the club for the 07/08 season.
In the summer of 2008, Rangers signed Bougherra for £2.5million and he made his debut on the opening day of the SPL season. After the departure of Carlos Cuellar, Bougherra formed a defensive partnership with David Weir. And it proved to be an effective partnership, as Rangers won the SPL title for the first time in three seasons, and ended the year winning the Scottish Cup too.
The 2009/10 season started well for Rangers and Bougherra, and he scored an important equalising goal as Rangers drew 1-1 in Stuttgart in the Champions League. But in October and November of 2009, Bougherra twice returned to Scotland late after international matches, and was dropped from the time for a brief period. He gave various different reasons for his late return, including his daughter having an illness, his passport being stolen, and finally because he had been celebrating Algeria’s qualification for the World Cup with his country’s president.
Bougherra missed most of the second half of that season with various injuries, but had recovered in time to join the Algerian squad for the World Cup finals. Algeria faced a tough group, having been drawn against England, Slovenia and the United States. After losing to Slovenia in the opening group match, Algeria faced England. Bougherra played his part by keeping Wayne Rooney from having an impact, and Algeria managed a credible 0-0 draw. Although Algeria would ultimately finish bottom of their group following a last minute defeat to the United States, Bougherra had shown his talents.
Last season, Bougherra had another impressive campaign, and was the key part of another Rangers league and cup double. And he was part of a Rangers defence that became the only club to stop Man Utd scoring at Old Trafford all season when Rangers drew 0-0 in Manchester.
Seemingly every close season, Bougherra has been linked with a move away from Glasgow. Not only in terms of rumours of other clubs bidding, but Bougherra himself has repeatedly stated he would like to return to the English Premier League. And even more so this summer, as Bougherra is entering the final year of his contract, and currently appears unlikely to sign a new deal.
But despite Bougherra stating he wants to return to the Premier League, no English clubs have ever tested Rangers resolve. In the last three transfer windows, Rangers have been in a financial position where any offer for any player would be considered. First team players like Kenny Miller, Kris Boyd and Kevin Thomson all left because they club needed to sell or couldn’t match the wages offered elsewhere, but there’s never been a bidding war for Bougherra.
There’s also the SPL problem. Recent big money signings joining the Premier League from Scotland have failed to make a lasting impression. Craig Gordon, Alan Hutton and Carlos Cuellar all moved to England for fees of £8million or more, but Hutton and Cuellar have never fully established themselves, and Gordon appears to have fallen out of favour at Sunderland. So despite Bougherra impressing in the World Cup and the Champions League, perhaps playing in Scotland leaves question marks over his real ability.
Rangers of course, will be delighted that no-one has ever tried to tempt Bougherra south of the border, but he could certainly improve the defence of many Premier League teams.
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