Football: Guivarc'h eager for goals

STEPHANE GUIVARC'H, the Rangers striker who has been accused by his critics in Scotland of being lazy, has responded by saying: "I'm only here to score goals."

The French forward, who has found goals easier to come by with Rangers than he did with Newcastle earlier in the season, has scored seven times in 12 appearances since his pounds 3.5m move to Ibrox in November. His goals have been vital but his overall performances have been criticised and he has been dropped by France, the World Cup winners.

Guivarc'h is anxious to play against Hamilton of the First Division on Sunday in the fourth round of the Tennent's Scottish Cup after being left out of the team that beat Dunfermline 3-0 at the weekend.

"As a striker my role is simply to score, not to play in the middle or in defence," Guivarc'h said. "I am happy with my goals rate since I came here.

"I have a very good opinion of Scottish football. The game here has good players and strong teams. Rangers, in particular, play good passing football. But the general opinion of people back in France is low. But I do not think playing in Scotland will affect my chances with the national team.

"It is up to me to get myself back into the team and that means concentrating on doing my best for Rangers."

Jonatan Johansson, the Finland forward, played ahead of Guivarc'h in the Dunfermline game and impressed, scoring two goals. "Of course every player wants first-team football. But I am still young and this is a big club with a large squad so I know I won't play all the time," Johansson said.