Buffel exits Rangers

Rangers and Belgium midfielder Thomas Buffel has left Ibrox and decided to make a move to Cercle Brugge. It is understood that the former Rangers man was eager to leave Scotland to return to his homeland.

Walter Smith told the club's official website: "Thomas is going to leave us now and join Cercle Bruges. He wants to get himself in to a position where he's going to be playing.

"The people there have told him he'll be getting a game every week whereas he wasn't guaranteed that here.

"I think when he's been out for the length of time that he's been he has to get back and show people that he can play on a regular basis.

"The opportunity has come up for him to go back to Belgium, his home country, and we hope he does well. He goes with our best wishes."