Ricken blasts critics

Lars Ricken has lashed out against those critics who had written him off.

Borussia Dortmund star Lars Ricken has lashed out against those critics who had written him off.

Ricken, who rose to fame in 1997 with a brilliant goal when Dortmund lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy thanks to a 3-1 win over Juventus, has never really lived up to the expectations ever since and was facing the ruins of a once glorious career only two months ago.

His time at the Westfalenstadion appeared to be over last autumn when he was heavily fined after a public clash with coach Bert van Marwijk, but he turned down an offer from Scottish giants Rangers and worked his way back into van Marwijk's team.

The midfielder has starred in all three games after the winter break and helped the club to seven points which saw van Marwijk's team rise well ahead of the drop zone.

‚Ç£I was portrayed as a problem-maker, as someone who rips off and I had to prove those ridiculous accusations wrong,‚Ç¥ fumed Ricken.

‚Ç£It wasn't empty words when I told everyone that I didn't wanted to leave the club back then."

Van Marwijk is happy with his side's improved form and the renaissance of Ricken. 

‚Ç£We are getting better and better each week and my team, including Lars, have understood what I was missing before,‚Ç¥ said van Marwijk.