GULLIT DUMPED ME AFTER 1 GAME.. I HOPE LE GUEN DOESN'T DO SAME SAYS THOMAS BUFFEL

BELGIAN star Thomas Buffel is hoping his face fits better with new Rangers boss Paul Le Guen than it did with Ruud Gullit at Feyenoord.

But if it doesn't the gifted midfielder will have clubs queueing up to sign him.

Anderlecht are keen to take him back to his homeland this summer as a replacement for star striker Per Zetterburg who is retiring and a bid of around £1.75million will be made next month.

But Buffel is in no hurry to leave and speaking ahead of today's crucial league clash with Hearts at Tynecastle he said: "I know the name Paul Le Guen and the fact he has won medals in France. Apart from that I don't know anything about him.

"I do not know his plans at Rangers. There has been no indication if I'm part of his plans for next season or not.

"I want to stay and hopefully there will be some nice moments next season, some nice games to play in.

"I always want to prove my ability to myself in every match and what I can do to help the team. I don't go out to impress a new manager.

"When a new man comes in he has his own ideas and will see some things differently from the previous manager. When I was at Feyenoord I had good times under Bert van Marwijk but it changed when Gullit came in.

"I had the offer of a new contract under van Marwijk but was relegated to the bench after one game under Gullit.

"It doesn't mean you're a bad footballer. Sometimes decisions are not about your ability. It can be out of your hands.

"You just have to be mentally strong to deal with the situation. You can't let it get you down."

Buffel is loving life at Ibrox and is set to knock back Anderlecht.

He said: "If Anderlecht want me they will have to go to the Rangers board and make an offer. That might lead to other clubs also making offers.

"The story appeared in a newspaper in Belgium. What can I say? The interest is flattering and means you are playing well.

"But I like it at Rangers. I've been here for over a year and it has flown in because I'm enjoying myself. I'd be bored and life would be dragging if things weren't good for me in Glasgow.

"I'm comfortable with life. Off the pitch it is good, on the pitch I just like to do my job, try to help the team win."

Today's game is massive. Gers are looking to overtake the Jambos for second spot and a crack at the Champions League.

And Buffel said: "It's good to have competition. When you have a strong Hearts and Hibs it makes for an exciting season.

"It's up to us to handle the situation today. We have been on a good run playing good football and we need to produce what is needed in this game.

"I will be hard at Tynecastle, it always is. It doesn't matter if Hearts are six points ahead, 10 points behind or sitting in sixth - it is always difficult there.

"We know what is at stake and so do they. The atmosphere will be unbelievable and we have to go with confidence.

"We need to believe we can win to close the gap on them."

Buffel hopes today can give the Rangers fans something to cheer about after such a disappointing season although they can be proud of making the last 16 of the Champions League.

He said: "I left Belgium to play in Holland when I was just 16.

"You don't know at the time if it is the right or wrong thing to do but you just have to go with your gut feeling.

"Joining Feyenoord worked out well and I had no regrets. It's been the same at Rangers. I just had a nice feeling about the place, about the club.

"Rangers remind me very much of Feyenoord - a club for the people. Both have 50,000 fans inside the stadium every week.

"It's special to play in front of supporters who care so much.

"I want to do well for them, all the players do. It would be nice to win today because it would give them such a big lift."

Buffel has been in fine form playing off the main striker in the "hole." But he hasn't always filled his favourite role.

He said: "I know what my abilities are and I know where I like to play.

"Sometimes you have to play a different role to help the team. That's life as a footballer.

"Wherever you play you just have to be as consistent as you can for the team and do your best to get the right result.

"That's what I'll be doing today against Hearts. It's such an important game and we will do everything we can to win it."

Taken from the Sunday Mail