Bougherra played for Rangers in Saturday's draw with Hearts
Rangers have rejected a
bid from Qatar champions Lekhwiya for Madjid Bougherra, the Glasgow
club's manager, Ally McCoist, has confirmed.
The 28-year-old Algeria centre-half is in the final year of his contract.But McCoist said: "There has been a bid from a club in Qatar, but we have knocked it back.
"We don't want Madjid Bougherra going anywhere, especially at this stage of the season, which is vitally important for everyone."
Rangers host Malmo on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round.
Despite turning down the bid for Bougherra, McCoist is
continuing to pursue additional central defenders - Palermo's Dorin
Goian, Aston Villa's Carlos Cuellar and Anderlecht's Roland Juhasz.
Bougherra had been linked with several clubs in England and
the Middle East during the summer but was in the side which was held to a
1-1 draw by Hearts on the opening day of the Scottish Premier League
season."Madjid played for us on Saturday and I thought he was fine," McCoist told his club website.
"He is the same as every other player - you have to handle speculation and remember you have a job to do."
Bougherra joined Rangers after leaving Charlton Athletic in 2008, having previously played for Gueugnon and Sheffield Wednesday, as well as Crewe Alexandra on loan.
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