Bardsley urges Le Guen to throw him in at deep end

PHIL BARDSLEY has urged Rangers manager Paul Le Guen to throw him straight into this weekend's Ibrox showdown with Hearts.

The 21-year-old Manchester United defender joined the Glasgow club on loan last night and is desperate to be involved as soon as possible.

With so much at stake against the Bank of Scotland Premierleague runners-up on Saturday, Le Guen could opt to introduce his new recruit in next week's friendly against Zenit St Petersburg instead. But Bardsley wants to make his mark against Hearts.

He said: "I would rather play against Hearts, but I will have to train and see what the manager says.

"If I am picked for the team, I am sure the Rangers fans will not be disappointed."

Another game he is hoping to be involved in is next month's Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.

He was part of the Manchester United side which defeated Gordon Strachan's team in a pre-season friendly last month.

And Bardsley is relishing the chance to lock horns with the Scottish champions again.

He added: "It was a good victory over Celtic. We played them off the park but I am sure it would be different in an Old Firm derby."

Bardsley follows in the footsteps of fellow Old Trafford youngster Lee Martin, who joined Rangers on loan last week and made his debut at Dunfermline at the weekend.

Bardsley said: "I spoke to Lee on the phone last night and he has got a big smile on his face.

"It is always nice to know someone at a club.

"Sir Alex Ferguson is a mad Rangers man, a mad Scotsman, so he was pushing me to join Rangers.

"But I did not need too much pushing because it is a massive club and they have a great chance this season."

Taken from the Scotsman