Football: Bougherra will give his all to keep Rangers' treble bid alive

MADJID BOUGHERRA has vowed to help Rangers claim a domestic treble even though he admits he is experiencing one of the most demanding seasons of his career.

The defender returned from representing Algeria at the African Nations Cup and was drafted straight back into the team in place of the suspended David Weir for Saturday's 0-0 Active Nation Scottish Cup tie at St Mirren.

Bougherra said: "I will do my best and I have some programmes to stay fit. You have to give 100 per cent and I will do my best. When I was in Angola I followed the team and when I saw that we were in the Co-operative Insurance Cup] final and ten points clear in the SPL and still in this cup, it was a big motivation. Personally, to have a treble here is very important to me and all the players and then the World Cup is very important."

Bougherra was in fine form as the fifth-round cup tie ended in stalemate, making two last-gasp clearances to keep the holders in the competition.

Both teams must do it all again on Wednesday week to determine who reaches the last eight, before meeting again in next month's Co-operative Insurance Cup final. Saints striker Billy Mehmet dismissed suggestions that the Paisley club had just squandered their best chance to eliminate Rangers.

"That's what they will be thinking but we just have to go there and be positive," he said. "If we do that, we will hopefully cause an upset. We know it will be difficult at Ibrox but I'm sure if we play the way we did against Hearts last Tuesday we could get through."