BOUGY SOLD ME ON MOVE TO SPL; SPL LATEST...: Madjid the key to Well switch for pal Yassin.

Byline: ANTHONY HAGGERTY

MOTHERWELL new boy Yassin Moutaouakil has revealed Rangers star Madjid Bougherra sold him on a move to Fir Park.

The former France Under-21 captain, who signed a six-month loan deal on the last day of the transfer window, insists it was his ex-Charlton team-mate who helped convince the full-back to try his luck north of the border.

Moutaouakil had fallen out of favour at The Valley and despite having a trial with Portsmouth, the defender plumped for the SPL in a bid to kick-start his career.

The 23 year-old will line up in tomorrow's glamour clash against a Manchester United X1 in the Matt Busby Shield before coming face to face with Bougherra and Rangers in his competitive debut for Motherwell.

Moutaouakil said: "I spoke to Madjid about coming to Motherwell and he was very positive about a move to the SPL.

Sample "We are still great mates from our Charlton days. He got me tickets for a Celtic-Rangers game which ended up 0-0 but the atmosphere was fantastic, the fans were brilliant and he got man of the match.

"Madjid is a great player and he said Motherwell were a very good club and I should come here and sample the SPL. I hope to be a success like him.

"If I play against Rangers and Madjid then naturally I will be hoping to beat him.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me to play regular first-team football as that was not happening for me at Charlton.

"I have trained with the boys this week and I feel already that Motherwell is the right club. I thank the manager for bringing me here and giving me the opportunity to kickstart my career."

Well boss Jim Gannon is delighted to have brought in a player with Moutaouakil's pedigree.

Gannon said: "I wanted to bring in a right-back and Yassin was schooled in the French system at Clairefontaine so he will be technically very good.

"Yassin is tenacious in his attacking play, very quick and an outstanding athlete.

"We have been crying out for a natural, attacking right-back and Yassin fits the bill perfectly.

"Charlton have gone through a difficult period and this is the ideal opportunity for him to get out playing again and to re-establish himself as Yassin maybe has not fulfilled the potential he has."

Gannon insists it is an honour for Motherwell to be involved in tomorrow's meeting with United.

He said: "Sir Matt Busby represents everything that was great about Scottish and English football. Anyone who is involved in football will have heard of him as United's success will forever be etched in the history of the game.

"It's fantastic and fitting that all the money raised will go to a fund to encourage coaching and other coaches.

"It will be a fantastic game with two decent young sides who have been well coached."

Motherwell fans should note that the Fir Park clash is at 3pm tomorrow and is pay at the gate. Admission prices are pounds 12 for adults and pounds 6 for kids. It's pounds 20 for a family ticket which comprises of one adult and two concessions.

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WELL UP FOR IT: Moutaouakil can't wait to work under new boss Gannon at Fir Park, thanks to the advice he was given by his old Charlton pal Bougherra, below