Source: Daily_Mail
Rangers sign El-Hadji Diouf from Blackburn ahead of Celtic clash
Rangers stunned Scottish football as they brought hate figure El-Hadji Diouf to Ibrox on loan from Blackburn Rovers for the final months of Walter Smith's managerial reign. [LNB]The reviled Senegal international, who spat on a Celtic fan during a UEFA Cup tie at Parkhead in 2003 when he was a Liverpool player, has carved himself a tarnished reputation over almost a decade in British football. [LNB]Fined by both club and the courts for that shocking incident, Diouf's charge sheet extends to further incidents of spitting, claims he made racist remarks to a ball-boy and recent allegations he verbally abused Queens Park Rangers striker Jamie Mackie as the Scotland international lay stricken with a broken leg.[LNB] Heading north: El Hadji Diouf poses in the Rangers shirt[LNB] His arrival - ahead of four remaining Old Firm derbies over the next four months - will shock both sides of the Glasgow divide and public opinion could be tested as soon as Sunday's Scottish Cup showdown with Celtic at Ibrox. [LNB]Diouf said: 'I know all about the big rivalry between the two clubs. I have seen many Rangers-Celtic games because a few of my friends have played for Rangers like Amdy Faye, Jean-Alain Boumsong and Fabrice Fernandes.[LNB]'Every one of them always said great things about the club in the past and I always remembered.[LNB]'I actually spoke to Diomansy Kamara about coming to Rangers - even although he played for Celtic - and he told me not to hesitate.[LNB]'He told me they were a massive club with a massive support and I had to take the chance.'[LNB]Blackburn appear to have been happy to get rid of the player following the unseemly row after the Mackie injury, which included allegations that Diouf stood over the QPR player and delivered a volley of abuse. [LNB]Smith clearly feels bringing in the 30-year-old is worth a gamble as he looks to bolster his squad for an assault on three domestic trophies and the Europa League. [LNB]Diouf told Rangers' website: 'I am very happy to join one of the biggest clubs in the world. This club has a great history. It will be great to wear the shirt and I will do my best.[LNB]'I know this is only a loan move but I would love to make it permanent. I need a change and this is great for me.[LNB]'I will also have the chance to play in the Europa League (against Sporting Lisbon) and that will be fantastic for my father Paolo, because he lives in Lisbon.' [LNB] Just one person he's upset... Diouf (right) was recently accusedof verbally abusing Queens Park Rangers player Jamie Mackie (bottom) while he lay injuredon the pitch with a broken leg[LNB]Diouf joins David Healy at Rangers, with James Beattie despatched on loan to Blackpool to clear some wages as the English Premier League club pick up a ?10,000-per-week tab for the player who failed to score goal in his five months in Govan. [LNB]Onan astonishing day inside Ibrox, defender Andy Webster was released early from his contract and is tipped to move to Hearts. That in itself would be remarkable given Webster left Tynecastle in a bitter contract wrangle with Vladimir Romanov after being frozen out of their Scottish Cup-winning side in 2006. [LNB]He played just three games for Rangers in four years and, when a swap for Dundee United winger Craig Conway fell through, the decision was made to cut him adrift and bring in another defender instead. [LNB]Smith duly filled the gap in his squad by recruiting Arsenal youngster Kyle Bartley as moves for Portsmouth's Hermann Hreidarsson and Burnley's Andre Bikey fell through. [LNB]Bartley, 20, has been on loan at Sheffield United this term and played in the Champions League for Arsene Wenger last season.[LNB] Beattie's departure for Blackpool could provide a kick-start for a player who has been a costly Ibrox error - with Smith having paid ?1.5million to Stoke in August for the ex-England international. [LNB]Beattie didn't score a goal during his spell in Glasgow and struggled with injuries. He still has next season on his Rangers contract, with a third year dependent on a number of appearances in 2011-2012 - if he stays that long. [LNB] Rangers misfit Beattie returns to the Premier League in Blackpool loanMadness! So much for the credit crunch as records tumble on the craziest day in English transfer history LIVE: Deadline day - all the news as the transfer window closesClub-by-club guide to every Premier League transfer deal during JanuaryChart of the week: How football transfer fees soared[LNB] Explore more:People: James Beattie, David Healy, Walter Smith, Jean-Alain Boumsong Places: Liverpool, Glasgow, Lisbon, Scotland, United Kingdom
