Bougie's off hook for Gers no-show; Bougie.

Byline: Keith Jackson 

MADJID BOUGHERRA has been completely admonished by Rangers boss Walter Smith - despite going AWOL and missing the weekend win at St Johnstone.

Record Sport broke the news on Saturday that Bougherra had failed to report back to Murray Park from international duty in time to make the trip to Perth and that Smith had been infuriated by the player's failure to respond to the club's repeated attempts to contact him.

But Bougherra met with his manager yesterday for showdown talks ahead of tomorrow's Champions League clash with Romanian outfit Unirea Urziceni.

And he convinced Smith he did indeed have a legitimate reason for being held up on his way home from Algeria's World Cup qualifier with Rwanda - a match that took place eight days ago.

Bougherra will not face any punishment after telling Smith that one of his bags was stolen at an airport in Paris as he waited to catch a connecting flight back to Glasgow last Thursday - and that his mobile phone, passport, visa documents and wallet were all swiped by the thief.

It's the second time this season that the player has failed to report back from an international break on time but

Smith-whohadbeenpreparedto dish out a heavy fine had he not been satisfied with Bougherra's explanation - insisted yesterday that his star defender is blameless.

The Rangers boss told Record Sport:"I have met withMadjid to discusswhatwentonandIaccept hisversionofevents.

"Thematterisnowclosedasfar as I amconcerned and there will benopunishmentfortheboy.

"He had relevant reasons for being held up and the situation hasnowbeenclearedup."

It's understood Bougherra's no show was further complicated whentheplayer'sagentcontacted the clubonFriday to say his client had in fact been robbed on Monday of last week.

ButBougherra is adamantthat thecrimetookplaceonThursday .

Bougherra told Smith that he had to travel into the centre of Paris tosort outemergency travel documents with the Algerian embassyaswellascancelhisbank andcreditcards.

Stuttered He insists his paperwork was not cleared until Fridayafternoon whenhewasfinallyabletoboarda flight back to Glasgow, which toucheddownataround10pm.

Smith was still simmering with anger on Saturdaywhen,without Bougherra, his side stuttered to a 2-1winoverSt Johnstone.

He said afterwards: "His agent spoketo AllyMcCoistandsaid his bagwasstolenwithhisphone,his passports and all his credentials although they did agree that was on Monday. In an ideal world he willbeplayingonTuesdaynight.If thishadn'thappenedtherewould havebeennodoubtaboutit."

Bougherrabelievesheisnowin the clear with his bossandsaid:"I asked my agent to let the club knowwhile Iwasdealing with the problemsregardingmypapers.

"I arrived inGlasgowon Friday night and Walter Smith decided nottomakemeplaybecauseIhad not trained but he's not punished me.IamhereatRangers,Iwant to stay here and I do not see why I wouldgotowarwiththe club."

CAPTION(S):

ALL CLEAR: Bougherra