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Rangers at the World Cup

Time seems to be depressingly moving slowly to the World Cup next week after a long domestic season. I find it very hard to cope early June without the competitive football every weekend, but I’m delighted we are almost in touching distance of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Lets hope we see a more open tournament compared with the 2006 finals which weren’t exactly memorable. As usual, Rangers have some representatives at the World Cup. This time, not including DaMarcus Beasley, who has made it clear he will leave the club, the SPL Champions will have only two World Cup representatives, both up against England and both getting my best wishes for that game in particular:

Maurice Edu – USA

The dynamic 24-year old has shown glimpses of quality in his two years in Glasgow after joining from Toronto for £2m. Edu has a huge future at Rangers and has grown increasingly popular with the Rangers supporters due to his solid performances in the SPL. Another reason was the small matter of a 92nd minute winner in the Old Firm derby late last season which ultimately secured Rangers their 53rd League Championship. 2 years in Glasgow, 2 League Championships is an impressive record for any player, but securing Edu’s services for the future should be one of the priorities for Rangers. The Gers may be tight to sign a few new players, but with Edu set to feature in the Champions League for the first time it will prove to be a welcome boost for Walter Smith’s side.

Edu heads to South Africa with 13 international caps and is likely to feature in the first-team under manager Bob Bradley. The USA will compete alongside Algeria, Slovenia and England during the group phases and the Americans will fancy their chances after an impressive Confederations Cup run.

Madjid Bougherra – Algeria

Bougherra has been a revelation in his time at Ibrox since joining from Charlton Athletic for just over £2m. The Algeria stopper has the near-impossible task of replacing Spanish collosus Carlos Cuellar who left for Aston Villa late in the summer of 2008. Boogey has impressed with his fine defensive qualities and his ability to bomb forward at any moment. At times, he has been Rangers’ most threatening player going forward and he dug Rangers out of a hole in Germany on Matchday 1 of the Champions League when his surging run caught Stuttgart cold and he fired a shot past Jens Lehmann. Boogey also netted a stunning goal in the 7-1 win against Dundee United, without doubt, one of the greatest goals of the season in world football after he ran from his own half beating a number of players before hammering home with his left-foot.

The 27-year old will compete against Maurice Edu in the same group as the Algerians take on the USA, Slovenia and England. Another fine goal against the English would go down well, but Algeria will fancy taking some points from their opponents with a number of good players like Karim Ziani and Nadir Belhadj. Bougherra has 40 caps for Algeria and this will be his first World Cup.

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