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Thursday, 27 December 2007, 11:57 GMT

Burke vows to reject loan offers

Motherwell's David Clarkson challenges Rangers' Chris Burke Rangers winger Chris Burke has vowed to stay at Ibrox and fight for a regular first-team start instead of heading out on loan in January.

Clyde manager Colin Hendry recently said he hoped to secure Burke on a short-term deal, but he made his first SPL start of the season on Wednesday.

"I don't want to go out on loan," Burke said after the 3-1 win over Motherwell.

"I love this club, I've played here since I was 17 years old and what I'm here to do is fight for my place."

The 24-year-old had an impressive return to the team, his only other start this term being in a CIS Insurance Cup victory over Third Division East Fife.

"It was tiring, but it was good and I enjoyed it," said Burke.

" The manager did say at the start of the season that he needs every single one of us if we want to win this league"
Chris Burke

"I made the bench in the last home game and, in this game, I've come in and played the whole 90 minutes, so there is progress there.

"I'll just be happy to make the squad on Saturday.

"But I do want to play football week in, week out. It's very frustrating as a player, you want to play every Saturday or Sunday.

"But it's down to me to push myself and show what I can do in training."

Summer signings Alan Gow and Kirk Broadfoot, Brahim Hemdani and fit-again Thomas Buffel have also all endured spells in the stand this season.

"There are a lot of quality players left out and not even making the bench this season," said Burke.

"That shows you the depth of the squad. But the manager did say at the start of the season that he needs every single one of us if we want to win this league."

MY SPORT: DEBATE
" Smith needs to start playing players that have a bit more flair like Burke and Buffel "
Firstuch

Manager Walter Smith hoped that Burke could show the consistency that he believes has been missing in his career so far.

"When the games come thick and fast like that, keeping a level of consistency is sometimes difficult," he said.

"Especially for players like Chris who are dependant on a freshness of play and an ability to go and beat people.

"It's the hardest part of the game to achieve. So certainly we hope he will continue to get games in the next few weeks."



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Related to this story:

Novo and Darcheville will return (26 Dec 07 |  Rangers )
Rangers 3-1 Motherwell (26 Dec 07 |  Scottish Premier )
Burke prepared to fight for place (19 Dec 07 |  Rangers )

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