Rangers' Ricksen banned from training after plane incident
Rangers have banned Dutch midfielder Fernando Ricksen from training with the squad after "inappropriate behaviour" on their plane to a pre-season camp in South Africa, the club said.
In a statement, Glasgow Rangers new French manager Paul Le Guen said that Ricksen's behaviour "was wholly inappropriate and unacceptable for the way in which I have asked my players to conduct themselves.
"Therefore Fernando will not carry out pre-season training with the squad in South Africa."
It was not immediately clear what Ricksen did on the plane to Johannesburg.
The utility player, a key player and the midfield enforcer, has a contract that will keep him in Glasgow until 2009.
Before the tour to South Africa, Ricksen revealed his determination to be remembered as a great footballer at Rangers, claiming he was more focused than he had ever been ahead of a new season.
Last season was wrecked by a persistent stomach muscle problem and Rangers' poor form which saw them forced to settle for third place in the league.
"Right now I'm injury free and I feel very happy," he said. "I feel fit too and that's important.
"I'm probably more focused and determined than I've ever been but I have to be that way. I'm almost 30 now and I want to continue to play football. I want to push myself and get the maximum out of myself.
"I don't want to end up a has-been. I know I can achieve so much more and I also know there is more to come from me. That's why I need to stay focused and work hard. If I do that the success will come."
AFP
