Burgess wants regular place

By Editor
February 3 2003

Ollie Burgess is hoping to re-establish himself as a first-team regular after being given a starting place for Rangers' 4-2 win at Chesterfield.

Burgess played on the left flank for part of the game at Saltergate and has now featured in all midfield positions for Rangers.

"I'd like to play in any of those positions - make any of them my own," said Burgess, who is fit again after the knee injury he suffered last year.

"I'd like to be in the first XI every week. That's my aim and where I play isn't really a problem.

"At the end we had four strikers on there but as long as we're winning I don't think it matters where people play. Everyone will do their job for the squad.

"It feels really good to be back. I've been around the squad for the last few weeks and it's nice to get a start - my first one for quite a while.

"I was out for the best part of a year but I'm fit now and hopefully I can carry on feeling my way back in.

"The main thing is building up my match fitness. It's one thing getting your fitness up from playing in reserve matches but stepping up to the first team requires a different kind of fitness."

Burgess made his first-team debut just after Rangers went into administration and although he impressed during a run of games in the first part of last season, results were poor.

"Most of the time when I've played it's been quite difficult because there's been problems and results haven't been going our way," he admitted.

"It's nice to come into it now when we're doing well and are on a good run."

Meanwhile, Kevin Gallen admits he is happier playing in the centre of midfield, where he started at Chesterfield, than wide on the right.

He said: "It was okay playing there. I enjoyed it a little bit more than playing on the right of midfield. You get more of the ball and are more involved.

"It's difficult because we've got injuries at the moment. It's not an ideal situation but getting the win is all that matters.

"We needed the win to keep on the heels of the teams above us and away from the teams below, so it was a really good result."