Moore defends role at Rangers

Craig Moore, the former Rangers captain, insisted yesterday that he does not feel he has ever let the club down.

Craig Moore, the former Rangers captain, insisted yesterday that he does not feel he has ever let the club down.

He courted controversy during the summer when he chose to play for Australia in the Olympics instead of his club in the Champions' League qualifying rounds. Moore was stripped of the captaincy and a move to Blackburn Rovers was almost completed before the season began.

Many supporters were angry when he went straight back into the Rangers first team on his return from Athens for the second leg of the Champions' League qualifier with CSKA Moscow, who knocked them out to reach the group stage.

But the centre-back said: "I'm back and I want to be involved in every single game. That has never been anything different for me. While I am here I want to do well. I have been at the club for 11 years, I have always worked extremely hard and I don't feel as though I have ever let anyone down. As long as I pull on that jersey I will give 100 per cent."

Rangers have appealed against the red card given to Steven Thompson in an under-21 match on Monday. The striker was sent off with 15 minutes left of the 2-1 win over Hearts after the referee, Steven O'Reilly, ruled that he had elbowed Conall Murtagh while contesting a header.

Rangers claim the incident was accidental. "It was a disgraceful decision," John Brown, the Rangers coach, said. "Thommo was very unlucky to have been sent off."

The club has lodged an appeal with the Scottish Football Association in the hope of having the red card quashed before Sunday's league meeting with Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The case should be heard before the weekend action. If not, Thompson will be allowed to play until the appeal is heard.