El Hadji Diouf wants to become Rangers legend

El Hadji Diouf has set his sights on becoming a Rangers legend after joining the club on loan from Blackburn.

The former Senegal international signed for Rangers until the end of the season late in the transfer window but he is keen to make his stay in Glasgow more permanent.

The 30-year-old has been involved in several controversial incidents throughout his career, including spitting at a Celtic fan while playing for Liverpool.

But Diouf, who was banned for two matches by UEFA over the 2003 incident and fined £5,000 at Glasgow Sheriff Court, now wants to make a more positive name for himself in the city.

"I am very happy to join one of the biggest clubs in the world," he told www.rangersfc.co.uk.

"This club has a great history. It will be great to wear the shirt and I will do my best.

"It's funny because I played against Rangers in the summer in Australia with Blackburn and I was talking about that with my friend Chris Samba. I know it's a massive thing for me.

"Rangers are known throughout the world and I want to be a legend here.

"I was talking with Walter Smith about how many Rangers fans went to watch Rangers in Australia. It just shows the power of the club."

Diouf hopes to make his Clydesdale Bank Premier League debut against Hearts at Ibrox tonight before Rangers host Celtic in the Scottish Cup.

He added: "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.

"Every one of them always said great things about the club in the past and I always remembered.

"I actually spoke to Diomansy Kamara about coming to Rangers - even although he played for Celtic - and he told me not to hesitate.

"He told me they were a massive club with a massive support and I had to take the chance.

"I was doing well at Blackburn under Sam Allardyce and I think I was playing the best football of my Rovers career but then he left and things changed.

"I am a loyal guy and I liked Sam and things were not working for me so when this chance came up I grabbed it.

"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.

"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."

Diouf's arrival completed a busy 48 hours for Rangers, who also signed Sunderland forward David Healy and Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley on loan.

The club loaned James Beattie to Blackpool and released Andrius Velicka and Andy Webster, who looks set to join Hearts.