Madjid Bougherra earns compatriot Salim Kerkar a one-year Ibrox deal

Rangers have offered a one-year deal to French-born Algerian midfielder Salim Kerkar. The player, who was recommended to manager Walter Smith by defender Madjid Bougherra, has impressed during a trial period with the club.

Kerkar, whose elder brother Karim played for Clyde and Dundee United in 2004, has played in four bounce games, scoring three times, since arriving at Murray Park on 18 August.

"He has been with us for about a month now," confirmed Smith yesterday. "(Chief executive] Martin (Bain] will speak to his agent today and I would hope we'll manage to get him.

"He has actually played very well in a couple of games we have had and looked decent in training. He will be a good addition to our pool if we can reach agreement."

Smith added: "He is a wider player and has shown up well. He has got in among things and got himself a number of goals. With the size of squad we have got, he would be another option for us."

Kerkar had previously played for French clubs FC Gueugnon and Calais. The player - whose agent is former Rangers and England star Trevor Steven - praised his compatriot Bougherra for help in bringing him to Smith's attention.

"Madjid is a brother to me," said Kerkar. "I will never forget that he and my agent introduced me to Rangers. He has supported me since my arrival and I can not thank him enough."

Meanwhile, Bougherra is confident Rangers can continue their impressive home record as he has complete faith in his team-mates. Dundee United visit Ibrox today looking to become the first Scottish team to beat Rangers there since Inverness in March 2009.

Rangers went unbeaten at home in domestic competition last season for the first time since 1992-93, when the Ibrox side extended the undefeated spell into Europe as they came within 90 minutes of getting to the Champions League final.

With Smith being unable to buy a player for two years until last month when James Beattie and Nikica Jelavic joined the squad, the Rangers team is almost full of players who have won consecutive Clydesdale Bank Premier League titles.

"We have many players from last year so we have the experience," the Algerian defender said. "We know what we need to do.

"I'm very confident every time we play because I know the man I have in front of me or next to me is a good player and has won the title.

"I'm very confident every time I play. If we give everything, we will win everything. All the players feel very comfortable at Ibrox. It's a good atmosphere, a fantastic pitch. We are looking to keep this record."