Hemdani hints at extended Rangers stay

Brahim Hemdani has hinted that winning more silverware could convince him to remain at Rangers beyond the end of the season.

The midfielder, 30, has been tipped to quit Ibrox in the summer following months of speculation over his future.

He still has a year left on his current deal and responded to questions over his willingness to fulfil that contract with a vague “we will see” when pressed ahead of tomorrow’s UEFA Cup clash with Sporting Lisbon.

As well as European honours, Rangers are also in contention for a domestic treble having already clinched the CIS Insurance Cup last month.

And, when asked whether four trophies come the end of the season would provide the motivation for him to stay in Glasgow, Hemdani replied: “Of course, but I don’t know if I will leave!

“I still have one year at the end of the season and we will see.

“Hopefully we will have four games before the (UEFA Cup) final and it’s a big motivation for me but not just for me – for all the squad.

“We have done well since the start of this competition and I hope we carry on. We are here to win trophies and that is the most important thing for the club.

“The last two seasons were bad for the fans so it would be good to come back this year and win a lot of trophies.”

Hemdani has been a key figure in European outings but has been used sparingly by manager Walter Smith in domestic matches, leading to speculation he would leave in the last transfer window.

He added: “I have always had a good relationship with the manager, the staff and all the players here.

“It’s true there has been a lot of speculation about me, especially in the last transfer window, but I said in January that I would stay until the end of the season and that is the case.

“I’m still here and I’m happy to be here and help deliver trophies to the club.”

Hemdani would love to see the UEFA Cup reside in the Ibrox trophy room but, despite having defied all the odds to reach the quarter-finals, he believes talk of the final in Manchester next month is premature.

“It’s too early to say something like that,” he said.

“We only want to play each game one at a time and we will see what will happen.

“When you come to such a club, you know that you will face all competitions.

“This year has been a good year for us because we have already won one trophy and there are three tournaments still to play in.

“It is enjoyable to be in such a situation in April.”

Hemdani believes team spirit – so obviously lacking during Paul Le Guen’s ill-fated tenure – has been the secret to Rangers’ success since Smith’s return 15 months ago.

“Everybody works for everybody else and that is the key,” he said.

“That has been the big change and we know the importance of winning trophies here. That wasn’t the case for the last two seasons and we have changed that this year which is good.

“Team spirit is always better when you get results and that’s the situation today.

“It’s true that the atmosphere in the dressing room is very good and everybody is smiling now.

“That has helped us to go forward and will help us in the other games we have to play.”