The Squad > Goalkeepers > Lionel Charbonnier

Brief Player Report:
Charbonnier was signed from Auxerre for £1.2 million in the Summer of 1998. He arrived with a World Cup winner's medal as a member of the victorious French squad - although he didn't play in any of the games.

He had his first taste of Ibrox when Auxerre beat Rangers 2-1 in the 1996-97 Champions' League and decided then he wanted to move to Glasgow.

He says: "From that moment I wanted to join the club. The fans were great and the whole atmosphere of Ibrox - on and off the pitch - was something I'd never experienced before."

Charbonnier kept the crowd entertained during that game by hopping around his penalty area dodging the white lines. He explained: "I had knee trouble and I didn't like to put my weight on both feet when the ball wasn't at my end.

"Also I didn't like to step on the white lines of the penalty box. It was my one and only superstition - but I don't need that any more."

Charbonnier left Auxerre after 11 seasons and made his Rangers debut in the 2-1 League victory over Motherwell in August.

But after making 19 consecutive appearances in goal and keeping ten clean sheets, Charbonnier damaged the ligaments in his left knee in UEFA Cup tie against Bayer Leverkusen at Ibrox in November.

The injury required surgery and ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Charbonnier is a talented painter who went to one of France's top art schools, Les Beaux Arts. He also owns and trains horses.

After a brief return to top team action, Charbonnier was again struck by the injury curse that has hit Rangers' keepers this season and is still awaiting a return to full fitness.

Please note these player pages only get updated every so often this page was last updated 31/05/00

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