Madjid Bougherra insists he is not thinking about leaving Rangers after this summer's FIFA World Cup™. Algeria defender Bougherra has repeatedly been linked with a move from Ibrox since joining the Light Blues in the summer of 2008.

The former Charlton star, 27, has previously revealed his desire to return to the Barclays Premier League one day. But he has also maintained he would be happy to see out his contract, which expires in 2012, and would even consider extending it. He said: "I'm happy. Everybody asks me but I've two years left on my contract and am going to enjoy them. I hope I can win the title again."

Asked about the prospect of leaving, he added: "At the moment, I don't have this in my head. When I signed for Rangers, my life changed. It's fantastic here for me and I hope to do it again next season."

Fellow defenders Jean-Alain Boumsong and Carlos Cuellar both made quick departures from Rangers to the Premier League. Asked if he had a message for Ibrox fans, Bougherra said: "Thank you for everything, but I don't say this because I am leaving! The fans have been very good to me and have pushed me to do more.

"On the pitch, when you feel the fans behind you, you give more. For footballers, when the fans love you, it's fantastic. I have won trophies, with Algeria we qualified for the World Cup and got to the African Cup of Nations semi-final, and there's the Champions League."

Rangers are closing in on retaining the Scottish Premier League after going 13 points clear of arch-rivals Celtic. "Our destiny is in our hands," said Bougherra, who hopes to return from injury for Sunday's Active Nation Scottish Cup quarter-final against Dundee United. "I think we need five or six wins so we must do our best in these games and we'll be champions."

The FIFA World Cup will see Bougherra come up against England's Wayne Rooney, who the defender rates as the best player in the world on current form. "At the moment he is the best," said Bougherra, who faced Rooney playing for Charlton against Manchester United three years ago.

"He is the top scorer in England and in the Champions League he showed that he can score with headers - he has everything. It's a great chance for me and the players to see if we have the level to play against these big players. Everybody is ready to show Algerian players to the world."