Thomas Is In For The Long Stretch

Nov 4 2007 Scott Mcdermott

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RANGERS' forgotten man Thomas Buffel last night pleaded with Walter Smith to get his Ibrox career out of a hole.

The Belgian is adamant he can be pivotal to Smith's new-look team - if the Gers boss plays him IN the hole behind a lone striker.

It looked certain Buffel, now back to full fitness after an eight-month knee injury nightmare, was on his way out when Smith returned for a second stint in charge in January.

But it seems both men have a certain admiration for each other.

Smith has continually said Buffel can do a job for him at his peak. And the 26-year-old creative midfielder insists he wants to stay and justify the £2.3million Alex McLeish paid Feyenoord for him in January 2005 by resurrecting his Gers career.

Rangers have stuttered in the SPL in recent weeks - particularly away from home - and Smith has faced criticism for his defensive 4-5-1 formation.

The key to that system is the link man between midfield and the lone striker - a role skipper Barry Ferguson has been trying to fill.

But Buffel believes he's perfect for the slot and has urged his boss to give him a chance to shine behind Daniel Cousin, Jean-Claude Darcheville or Kris Boyd.

He knows the demands of the position inside out after being groomed to play off a front man since his teenage years and wants to make it his own at Ibrox.

After seven reserve outings Thomas insists he's now reaching full fitness and is desperate for a crack at the first team.

He said: "A lot has been made of the formation we're playing with one striker and one player in behind him.

"But that role is perfect for me. It's where I have played my best games throughout my career and shown my qualities. It's a difficult position to play for someone who hasn't done it for long.

"It's a specialist role - you need to have the feeling for it and awareness of what's around you.

"To go in and play there for the first time is hard. You have to have done it from when you were a kid and I have.

"It's my favourite position. I can also play on the left or the right if necessary - I feel I can add something to the team. But yes, I'd love to play in that role behind the striker.

"I feel totally ready now to go into the first-team squad. Physically I'm OK.

"I needed games after my injuries but I've had seven matches with the reserves and I'm ready to play. My knees are strong and I want to be involved."

Arguably Buffel's best spell in a light blue shirt was when McLeish deployed him in that link role two years ago.

Usually playing behind Peter Lovenkrands, Buffel created the Dane's goal against Inter Milan at Ibrox that took Rangers into the Champions League last 16 for the first time. He admits it has been tough watching from afar as Smith's new-look side have taken the tournament by storm this season.

Unlike guys such as Ugo Ehiogu, Buffel is in Gers' Champions League squad and would like nothing more than to play his part in mouthwatering ties that lie ahead, especially against Barcelona on Wednesday night.

He said: "After the operation my target was always to get into the manager's plans for the Champions League games.

"So it has been frustrating not to be in there. It has been a hard time but I've been patient.

"I've been doing well in the last few weeks and I'm there now. I just have to wait for my chance.

"Walter has always been positive about me. He even told the media he believes I can still do a job for him.

"So I need to hold on to that and hope he means it because I want to be back playing for Rangers again.

"I'd love to play in some of the big games coming up in the Champions League.

"I'm 100 per cent fit now so there is not much more I can do. I just need to convince Walter I'm capable of doing a job for him in the first team."

Shortly after Smith returned to Ibrox in January he almost sold Buffel to German side Hannover but the move fell through.

Last week the playmaker was again linked with a move to the Bundesliga but has dismissed the reports as rumours and told his gaffer he wants to stay.

Thomas said: "I saw the reports again about me going to Germany but I haven't heard anything.

"Certainly I haven't sought to leave Rangers. All I've been concentrating on is my recovery and comeback.

"I pushed everything to the side and as far as I'm concerned it is just a rumour.

"I have never said I wanted to leave, I'm happy at Rangers. I just have to try to force myself back into the team."