Rangers' Diouf move to infuriate Celtic fans - Belfast Telegraph

Controversial Blackburn Rovers forward El Hadji Diouf last night joined Rangers until the end of the season — and is expected to make his debut in Sunday's Old Firm Scottish Cup encounter with Celtic.

The 30-year-old Senegalese international's move to Ibrox is bound to be highly controversial — not least because of the infamous spitting incident involving Celtic fans eight years ago

On March 13 2003, while playing for Liverpool, he was involved in an incident when he spat on some Hoops supporters during a televised UEFA Cup quarter-final at Parkhead.

The Anfield club fined him two weeks' wages, UEFA gave him a two-match ban and Diouf was charged with assault.

Although the player initially pleaded not guilty, he later changed his plea and was fined 5,000.

With history like that, his first Old Firm encounter is bound to be an interesting occasion.

"I am delighted to be joining a club as big as Rangers," said Diouf last night.

"As far as I am concerned, they are one of the football clubs in the world and who wouldn't want to be part of that?"

When asked if he was looking forward to playing against Celtic this weekend, Diouf said: "Of course; I wish the game was this Wednesday."

He added: "I want to score goals and make the fans happy. I'm ready to win the title."

As to whether he would be keen to extend his stay at Ibrox beyond the summer, Diouf said: "It's up to me to do the job and then we'll see."

Diouf apparently learned little from the notorious Parkhead incident; while on loan from Liverpool to Bolton, he was charged by the police for spitting at an 11-year-old Middlesbrough fan during a 1–1 draw in November 2004.

He's the second striker to join the Gers within 24 hours following the signing of Northern Ireland's David Healy from Sunderland.

Diouf, who also spent a season with Sunderland following four relatively successful years with Bolton, has yet to score a goal this season but may well now partner Healy in an all-new strike force this Sunday.

Earlier in the day Rangers announced the signing of 20-year-old Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley.

Bartley will arrive in Glasgow tomorrow but Rangers completed the paperwork on the deal and announced his signing just over an hour before the transfer window closed.

Left-sided defender Bartley has played one game for Arsenal, a Champions League clash against Olympiacos, but has played 37 times for Sheffield United during two loan spells.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have failed in a late bid to lure Charles N'Zogbia back to St James' Park.

The Magpies made a last-gasp offer for the 24-year-old Frenchman, who left the club in a 6million move to Wigan two years ago after waging a concerted campaign, but saw it swiftly rebuffed by the Latics.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, who signed N'Zogbia during his time at the DW Stadium, has been monitoring the winger's situation for some time, was unwilling to match Wigan's valuation.

But the Magpies simply left it too late as they launched a desperate search for new recruits in anticipation of Andy Carroll's exit.

n Hull City last night failed in a bid to sign Northern Ireland midfielder Corry Evans on a permanent transfer. Tigers boss Nigel Pearson lodged a bid for Evans —who is currently on-loan at th KC Stadium.Manchester United rejected the offer, but Hull may yet try to do a deal after Evans loan expires at the end of the season.