MADJID BOUGHERRA believes the speculation over his future has brought out the best in him at Rangers.

The Ibrox stopper was linked with a move to various Premiership sides throughout the January transfer window as chairman Sir David Murray announced the club would be forced to cash in on one of their top stars.

As it happened, Walter Smith's side emerged from the transfer window without losing any key players.

Bougherra was one of a handful of Rangers players who were subject to intense transfer speculation with team-mates Kris Boyd, Barry Ferguson, Allan McGregor and Pedro Mendes the others who were linked with moves away from Ibrox every other day.

However, rather than letting the talk playing on his mind and unsettle his game, the 26-year-old Algerian defender says it actually boosted his confidence.

He said: "It raised my image and was probably good for the club as it is better for people to say Rangers have good players than bad ones.

"The reason things were being said about me was because people thought I was doing well and that is a good thing for our team.

"What was said gave me more confidence and it is the first time in my life I have felt as good about my football as I do at the moment.

"In the past, I've had things to deal with in my head, but there is no stress and there are no problems.

"The manager just tells me to play my own game and go with my own style. He lets me take the ball forward sometimes, defend too and everything else in between.

"I'm not going on the pitch worrying about people wanting me to avoid doing this or that whereas I've had that in the past and it has affected me.

"When I had the ball, I was maybe a bit nervous about making mistakes, but here I am more relaxed and I hope that is showing."

Bougherra hopes his form can lead to Rangers securing the SPL title this season.

Walter Smith's men returned to the top of the table over the weekend for the first time since the beginning of November thanks to the better goal difference they hold over Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Speaking in the Rangers News, the stopper added: "The fans were fantastic with me during the transfer window. Whenever I bumped into any in January, they kept telling me to stay.

"I was surprised they were so keen for me to remain with Rangers and what they did and said means a lot to me.

"I want to give something back to them for the support they have given me. It would be great to win the championship and build something here at Rangers for them as they deserve it."

Now back at the SPL summit, Rangers have also been boosted by good news on the injury front.

Nacho Novo and Lee McCulloch are winning their battles to be fit for next month's Co-operative Insurance Cup Final.

Both players looked set to miss the March 15 clash with Celtic, but striker Novo has made excellent progress from the ankle injury he suffered at the end of last month and is set to return to training this week.

He is even hopeful of featuring in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League home clash with Inverness on Wednesday week.

Midfielder McCulloch discovered today he has a minor tear in his calf after going for a scan, but still has a realistic chance of making Hampden.

He came off in last Wednesday's 4-0 Homecoming Scottish Cup fifth-round win at Forfar and was initially told he could be out of action for between two and four weeks.

Rangers assistant manager McCoist is delighted the duo are on the mend.

He said: "I was getting the wee cheesy grin from Nacho today and he's back out running, which is great to see.

"He is a smashing lad and one of those boys who just wants to train and play.

"Everybody will be delighted to hear he is not far away from a return now and big Lee is the same. He has a very minimal tear in his calf, but I'd hope he'll be back in full training in a week to 10 days.

"That's positive news for us and we are pleased about that. Lee is the same and I think he was quite relieved when he got his test results back.

"Both lads are dying to get back playing for Rangers again. They'll have high hopes of being in the squad for the final, if not before then."

DaMarcus Beasley was also injured against Forfar following a challenge from Elliot Smith, who was sent off.

He should be back in contention for the visit of Inverness.