Hoops boss feels controversial forward could have impact in Old Firm
Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes Old Firm rivals Rangers' signing of El-Hadji Diouf from Blackburn could turn out to be a shrewd piece of business.
The 30-year-old joined Gers on transfer deadline day on loan from Ewood Park until the end of the season, and is expected to take part in an intense Glasgow derby on Sunday in the Scottish Cup at Ibrox.
Diouf has become a figure of hate at Parkhead following an incident where he spat at a Hoops fan during a UEFA Cup tie at Celtic whilst at Liverpool in 2003, where he earned a £5,000 fine at a Glasgow Sheriff Court.
The controversial Senegalese forward has never been far from the headlines, but Walter Smith has accused the media of branding the player to be worse than a serial killer.
Lennon was reserved in his comments on the incident that occurred at Celtic Park, a game in which he played for the home side, over seven years ago, but did concede that he felt the player could have an impact on the pitch.
Lost
He said: "I think it sometimes gets lost a little bit that he's a good player. Liverpool paid £11million for him when he first came to England.
"He has played in the Premiership ever since then, so it might be a shrewd bit of business on Rangers' part.
"As regards the off-the-field stuff and the on-the-field stuff, I really can't comment on that. I know he was well thought of by the staff at Blackburn, because I know them personally.
"They thought he was a good team-mate and a good guy to have around the place.
"Like all people, we do things we regret.
"He probably looks back on things like that and regrets it. It's best for me to leave things unsaid."
The 30-year-old joined Gers on transfer deadline day on loan from Ewood Park until the end of the season, and is expected to take part in an intense Glasgow derby on Sunday in the Scottish Cup at Ibrox.
Diouf has become a figure of hate at Parkhead following an incident where he spat at a Hoops fan during a UEFA Cup tie at Celtic whilst at Liverpool in 2003, where he earned a £5,000 fine at a Glasgow Sheriff Court.
The controversial Senegalese forward has never been far from the headlines, but Walter Smith has accused the media of branding the player to be worse than a serial killer.
Lennon was reserved in his comments on the incident that occurred at Celtic Park, a game in which he played for the home side, over seven years ago, but did concede that he felt the player could have an impact on the pitch.
Lost
He said: "I think it sometimes gets lost a little bit that he's a good player. Liverpool paid £11million for him when he first came to England.
"He has played in the Premiership ever since then, so it might be a shrewd bit of business on Rangers' part.
"As regards the off-the-field stuff and the on-the-field stuff, I really can't comment on that. I know he was well thought of by the staff at Blackburn, because I know them personally.
"They thought he was a good team-mate and a good guy to have around the place.
"Like all people, we do things we regret.
"He probably looks back on things like that and regrets it. It's best for me to leave things unsaid."
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