McFadden not keen on Glasgow

McFadden: Old Firm target

James McFadden has ruled out the possibility of a move to either Rangers or Celtic.

The Birmingham playmaker has been strongly linked with the Old Firm giants in recent times, with the speculation intensifying since the Blues lost their Premier League status last term.

Reports had suggested that a move to Ibrox would be pushed through before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, but McFadden insists that is not the case.

The Scotland international also went on to completely rule out a return to his homeland, insisting that he does not need the added focus which comes with representing one the Glasgow-based sides.

Future

"I wasn't at Ibrox or Parkhead last week so that's how far those rumours went," he said.

"It's hard to tell (if he will be at Birmingham when the transfer window closes) but at the minute I'm there unless I'm told otherwise.

"To be perfectly honest I wouldn't entertain a move to Glasgow.

"I'm happy to be playing outside Scotland at the minute, especially with the kind of press that's been going about for Rangers and Celtic. I'm quite happy to be away from it.

"I read the papers and I watch the television and there has been some bad press for Rangers recently.

"I'm afraid that's what you get at the two biggest teams, there is always stories to be written, whether they are good or bad."

Complacent

For now, McFadden is concentrating on winning his place back in the Scotland team, having missed his country's last two friendlies against Czech Republic and Croatia.

He is well aware that the 2010 World Cup qualifiers are set to get under way next month and is desperate to play his part in helping George Burley's men secure a safe passage to South Africa.

He said: "My place is not going to be given to me, I still need to work hard for it.

"I watched the last two games and we played well at times so I'm looking forward to it and I will be doing my best to get the lads to a major finals.

"You look at the results in the last qualification campaign but that doesn't mean we can be complacent and expect to beat teams.

"We still need to work hard, that's the reason we got as far as we did the last time and we will be all right if we do that."