but did concede that domestic results would need to improve. After this announcement, the team's results did improve, helped by the signing from Kilmarnock of Kris Boyd. The side strung together a ten-match unbeaten run, but, entering the crucial month of February, which was to feature a must-win Old Firm match and the resumption of European football, this evaporated. Rangers lost 3–0 at home to Hibernian on 4 February to exit the Scottish Cup and end their last realistic hopes of silverware that season. Protests against McLeish and the chairman followed the game. After signs that supporter unrest was turning on Murray, on 9 February 2006, two days before the crucial Old Firm match, it was announced that McLeish would leave his position as manager at the end of the 2005–06 season. On 11 March, it was confirmed that former Lyon manager Paul Le Guen would succeed McLeish. Paul Le Guen (2006–2007) Murray predicted a fruitful reign under Le Guen, describing his capture as "a massive moonbeam of success" for the club and promising the club had "got big plans". He announced that the Frenchman would be given significant funds with which to strengthen the squad, with Rangers having announced an arrangement with sports retailer JJB Sports. Le Guen was well known for unearthing and nurturing young talent, and he made an immediate splash in the transfer market. In the summer of 2006, he made eleven signings (of those, however, only Saša Papac stayed beyond their first season). Le Guen spent big money on Filip Šebo, but the Slovakian only netted twice during the campaign. Other signings including Karl Svensson, Libor Sionko and Lionel Letizi, while Jérémy Clément was to be in Glasgow for only six months. Young South African player Dean Furman was signed from Chelsea, and French youngsters William Stanger and Antoine Ponroy from Rennes. Le Guen allowed more experienced players to leave, including Alex Rae, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Peter Løvenkrands and Ronald Waterreus. Rangers' first match under Le Guen was a friendly against Irish Premier League champions Linfield on 6 July 2006 at Windsor Park, Belfast. The visitors won 2–0, with first-half goals from Kris Boyd and Thomas Buffel. The squad then flew out to South Africa on 9 July for a training camp where they were to also play three matches. Defender Fernando Ricksen did not take any part in the tour, due to what was described