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    I won the league title with Rangers and was known as a bad boy, now I want to be a government minister in my homeland

    Ex-Rangers bad boy El Hadji Diouf has sparked astonishment – by declaring his aim to become a GOVERNMENT MINISTER.The retired Senegal international figured in a host of controversies on and off the field during his playing career.
    Diouf clashed with Scott Brown several times during his six month loan in ScotlandCredit: Reuters
    He went on to work with the Senegal national sideCredit: PA
    His career was rewarded with various awards in Africa – now he wants a key role off the pitchCredit: AFP – Getty
    Liverpool flop Diouf was involved in several spitting incidents, and was arrested several times.
    The winger, 42, also kept up running feuds with Kop icons Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher long after leaving Anfield.
    He helped Gers win an SPL and League Cup double during a 2011 spell on loan from Blackburn.
    Diouf has now insisted he hopes to become Senegal’s sports minister – or else head of the west African country’s FA.

    Both jobs would call for great reserves of tact and diplomacy.
    Diouf told Senegalese media: “I could easily see myself becoming Minister for Sport, or president of the Senegal Football Federation.
    “I could start work tomorrow.  I don’t see why not – I am an ambitious person.
    “Everything in its own time.  People got to know me in a different guise.
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    “That was in the past, when they only spoke about me as a bad boy.
    “But El Hadji Diouf the footballer was different to how I’d be as a director.”
    Senegal’s president Macky Sall previously sprung a surprise by handing Diouf a part-time role as an advisor.
    The former Bolton and Sunderland winger added: “In my role as a roving ambassador for the president, I have to behave in exemplary fashion.
    Diouf (right) landed the league title and League Cup in ScotlandCredit: Scottish News and Sport
    “I also have to represent the Senegalese FA in a worthy manner.”
    A £10million Liverpool buy from Lens, Diouf also played for Doncaster and Leeds.
    He hung up his boots in 2015 after a spell with Malaysian club Sabah.
    Elsewhere, former Rangers wonderkid Kai Kennedy has found a new club after a summer out of contract.
    Once courted by Bayern Munich and on the scouting list of several high-profile clubs in England and Europe, the winger will spend next season in the FIFTH tier of English football.
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    He’s signed for York City and will hook up with former Ayr United striker Dipo Akinyemi who he faced with Falkirk in last season’s Scottish Cup.
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    Moment Celtic could have snapped up Moises Caicedo for just £1m – and who the Hoops signed instead

    THERE’S a great list of players who nearly played for either half of the Old Firm – and now you can add Chelsea’s new £115m man Moises Caicedo to the list. Back then, Celtic were going for their tenth title in a row – with Neil Lennon at the helm.
    Moises Caicedo could have joined Celtic – he’s just gone to Chelsea for £115mCredit: Getty
    Neil Lennon was the man in chargeCredit: AFP
    Caicedo was an impressive 21-year-old at Independiente del Valle and according to the Daily Mail, a former Parkhead talent spotter “sent back a recommendation to Glasgow to sign him”.
    For whatever reason, it wasn’t acted upon – with the Hoops instead making good on a promise to sign David Turnbull upon his recovery from injury.
    In too came Vasilis Barkas from AEK Athens and Albian Ajeti, plus Diego Laxalt on-loan.
    With the exception of Turnbull, none of the others have proved to be an asset to the Parkhead club.

    While Caicedo, who went to Brighton 12 months down the line, has made himself into an £100m-plus player and turned Brighton a remarkable profit into the bargain.
    But it has to go down as another near miss for the Hoops – who obviously lost out to historic rivals Rangers that season.
    Meanwhile, SunSport columnist Kris Boyd reckons Celtic must SELL Reo Hatate if he isn’t prepared to commit to a long term contract at the club.
    Brighton again have been credited with an interest in the player, although they already have plentiful options to replace the departed Caicedo.
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    Boyd write: “Maybe Reo Hatate has done something to annoy Brendan Rodgers.
    “Perhaps the Japanese midfielder had an attitude problem within the dressing room.
    “Or possibly there was a wee streak of arrogance that shone through when the Celtic manager first took charge.
    “Whatever it was, there’s clearly something that explains why Hatate lost his place in the team.
    “No harm to David Turnbull, but don’t try to tell me he’s a better player than Hatate.
    “Yet he was the one who started the first two games of the season? Sorry, that makes no sense.”
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    Fans brand Scottish football stadium’s snack a ‘WAR CRIME’ and crown it the ‘most depressed burger ever’

    FOOTBALL fans have been left in a pickle at the state of Dundee United’s burger served at Tannadice.As the Scottish football season kicked off in earnest yesterday, it meant the first visit to a stadium for months for many punters.
    This burger felt the ire of football fans on social media
    And if you were at Tannadice this weekend for Dundee United against Arbroath, you’d have been in for a not-so-tasty treat if you felt peckish at half-time.
    The stadium’s burger offering has been laid into on social media after it was shared on the ‘Footy Scran’ Twitter page.
    Among other things, it’s been likened to a digestive biscuit, called out for not being cooked, and even branded so bad it’s akin to a war crime.
    Supporters from across the country raced to comment on the fare after a picture of it was posted on Twitter.

    One fan from England said: “How did the country that fries literally everything manage to produce a burger that looks like it was boiled in bog water.”
    In a similar vein, this punter said: “Good news: you can now buy food in Scotland that isn’t deep fried. Bad news: it’s this absolute war crime.”
    Another asked: “Do you have to pay extra for them to actually cook your burgers at Dundee?”
    Before a third joked: “Did it walk off and head back to the farm at full time?”
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    The comparisons for the snack, which costs a heft £4.50, weren’t favourable in the slightest.
    One commented: “McVitie’s digestive in a bap.”
    Another observed: “Looks like a raw Rustler’s burger.”
    “Is that… still frozen?” asked another fan.
    It was then described as the “most depressed burger ever.”
    Another said simply: “That looks proper vile.”
    Then came this verdict: “That’s a crime against humanity.”
    Another fan described it as a “plastic bath mat” while one likened it to a beer coaster.
    One punter went fully against the grain, and in fact said that with a few simple toppings added, he’d happily order it.
    “Put some lettuce, tomato, pickle, peppers and onion on it and I actually would go for it… plain though is just very not scran,” he said.
    It’s not the first Scottish football food item to cause a stir in the last week either.
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    Celtic Park has opened a new street food outlet in the stadium but the vendor’s signature offering has split fan opinion.
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    Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers poised to pounce for Man City starlet with Hoops out to beat Wolves to loan transfer

    BRENDAN RODGERS is in the queue for Manchester City midfielder Tommy Doyle and waiting for the moment to pounce.Celtic boss Rodgers is a fan of Doyle who looks set to move in this window.
    Tommy Doyle is wanted on loan by Celtic and WolvesCredit: Getty
    Returning Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers wants to take the Man City kid north of the borderCredit: Rex
    And he is ready to swoop if he loses any of his current Hoops squad.
    Celtic have a strong relationship with Man City and will be updated on any developments over Doyle’s future.
    Wolves are also keen on Doyle, 21, who helped Sheffield United get earn promotion to the Premier League last season.
    But he may not start regularly for them, which leaves the door open for Rodgers.
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    Celtic have a Champions League campaign ahead and are an attractive option.
    However, they would need the cash to fund the buy or put together an impressive case for a loan.
    Celtic have already lost star winger Jota after a £25million move to Saudi Arabia.
    While defender Carl Starfelt is reportedly set to move to LaLiga side Celta Vigo.
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    DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
    The Swede has been linked with a move since his girlfriend Jacynta Galabadaarachchi left Celtic women’s team for Sporting Lisbon.
    The Scottish champions kicked off with a 4-2 win over Ross County on Saturday.
    Speaking after the game, Rodgers said: “Carl could leave, hence the reason for not starting him, that’s maybe something that will go through next week, but we shall see.
    “He’s obviously been a fantastic servant here, and he’s a great guy and really committed, but there’s reasons why he might want to move on.” More

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    Celtic star gushes over ‘most beautiful woman in the world’ and showers girlfriend with gorgeous gifts

    ROMANTIC Liel Abada knows the way to goal – and the way to a woman’s heart.The winger found the net 13 times last season, to take his Celtic tally to 28 in the Hoops.
    Liel Abada helped the Hoops land all three domestic trophies last seasonCredit: Reuters
    He celebrated with his model girlfriend at the end of the seasonCredit: Kenny Ramsay
    And he showered his girlfriend with gifts as she backed him from the stands at parkhead
    And despite a summer full of speculation he hasn’t allowed himself to be distracted on the pitch – or off it.
    Indeed his pre-season performance has been picture perfect – from Japan to back home at Parkhead.
    He helped the Hoops end pre-season with a win after a much improved second half showing against Athletic Club in James Forrest’s testimonial.
    Abada was cheered on by gorgeous Wag Bar Rashti – and she was even happier than the Hoops crowd with the result thanks to the romantic winger’s off-field gesture for his model girlfriend.
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    He sent her cute messages back from Japan while the Hoops took on Yokohama F.Marinos and Gamba Osaka as she updated her Instagram profile with beautiful Barbie-esque poses.
    After he gushed over her profile last month the Israeli wide man gifted her a bouquet of red roses this week.
    And his grand gesture melted his partner’s heart.
    Rashti replied: “I love you Liel Abada” and the message was seen by her 16,000 followers.
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    She also filmed herself cheering her man onto the pitch against the La Liga outfit on Tuesday night.
    He replaced man of the moment James Forrest in the second half as Celtic rounded off pre-season with a win.
    Abada had Rashti firmly in mind despite the 5000-miles between them on the club’s Asian tour too and he sent a message back saying she looked unreal and wrote: “There is no such thing as you”.
    Others compared her glam pose to Barbie and suggested the Israeli beauty would give Margot Robbie a run for her money.
    They asked: “Why didn’t they cast you in a Barbie movie?”
    Another dubbed her: “The most beautiful Barbie there is.”
    A third replied “Perfection” to the photo which was posted in Eilat, southern Israel.
    Rashti had been labelled the “most beautiful woman in the world” after wowing fans with some racy holiday poses.
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    She enjoyed a sun-kissed break with her footballer in Mykonos, Greece, and posed in a barely-there blue and pink bikini while lying on a lounger before showing off her figure with a stunning pic while inside their hotel room. More

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    Watch moment David Marshall drops howler as Hibs suffer shock Euro defeat to Andorra minnows

    HIBS got their season underway tonight as they travelled to Andorra to take on Inter d’Escaldes in the Uefa Conference League. It looked to be a sure thing for Lee Johnson’s men as they went into the tie as heavy favourites but their trip ended in heartache as they fell short in a 2-1 defeat.
    David Marshall thought he had his hands on the ball
    He dropped it leaving the hosts with an open goal
    Jean Luc Assoubre slotted it away to doube his side’s leadCredit: SNS
    Dylan Levitt made his competitive debut following his switch from Dundee United – but it was the man in goals who has grabbed the headlines.
    Hibs stopper and former Scotland international David Marshall was at fault for the Andorran side’s second goal and fans have been left furious with the goalkeeper at full-time.
    The veteran was tested with a fairly straightforward shot from close range as Ander El Haddadi Arrillaga pounced on Lewis Stevenson’s mistake to get an effort away.
    Marshall failed to get much on the strike though and dropped it before fumbling for the ball in the six yard box.

    It left Jean Luc Assoubre with an empty net to score into and he did just that to give his team a sensational two-goal lead over the Capital club.
    The match still had 20 minutes remaining after the second goal and it could have been more at full-time as Inter d’Escaldes took confidence and started growing into the game even more.
    Joe Newell stepped up with a free-kick to claw a goal back to save the tie in the dying minutes and gave Marshall and manager Johnson some breathing room.
    But it will still go down as one of the club’s worst defeats and will add to the long list of Scottish football upsets in Europe.
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    Fans were left fizzing over Marshall’s howler and took to social media to vent their fury at full-time.

    One supporter said: “David Marshall has had a nightmare there.”
    Another wrote: “I can’t believe that, what is Marshall doing?!”
    A third said: “That’s the season done. Thanks Marshall.”
    Hibs are still the favourites to progress to the third qualifying round of the Conference League and will hope to turn the tie around in the second leg.
    Johnson’s men host the Andorran outfit at Easter Road next week.

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    Wild moment young Rangers and Lyon ‘hooligans’ meet up to brawl in a field – then get picture taken afterwards

    IT’S certainly a different kind of image of football hooliganism from the one which became feared during the 1980s.But an image shared on social media appears to shows young supporters of Rangers and Lyon posing for a picture after an arranged 12 on 12 fight in a field.
    Fans of Rangers and Lyon.Credit: Facebook/HooligansTV
    It’s claimed that members of the so-called ‘Rangers Riot Crew’ met up with their counterparts from the French side as they gathered for their side’s clash with Manchester United in Edinburgh.
    The Old Trafford side ran out victors on the day courtesy of a goal from reported Celtic target Donny van de Beek.
    Social media site Hooligans.cz shared the image, along with the words: “XX.07.2023, U25 fight, Rangers (RRC) vs Lyon, 12×12, 1,30 min.
    “Fair fight, win Lyon. Info Lyon: Big respect Rangers. On photo Rangers (RRC) and Lyon together”.

    And one Twitter user wrote in the comments. “Nothing better than the fair fight. Refreshing. Monday morning we put the mask on and we go to work 🙂 Till next time.”
    It isn’t the first time that images of this apparent Ibrox grouping have made the headlines.
    Back in March, a picture shared by several social media accounts, showed 12 people clad in blue tops and hoods posing for a picture in a woodland area.
    Their fists were raised as they stand behind a banner carrying the words ‘Rangers Riot Crew. – amid claims that it was an ‘arranged fight’ between fans of Rangers and fans of Brentford.
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    The post says ‘originally meant to be 13×13 but call offs from Brentford so 2 rounds of 6×6 were done.’
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    Ex-Rangers star makes shock move to EIGHTH TIER English club and reveals major career change

    HE once sent Rangers fans wild by scoring a memorable Champions League goal in one of Europe’s most daunting venues.But next season, this former £12million signing will be playing at LEVEL EIGHT on the English football pyramid.
    Ross McCormack once scored in the Champions League for RangersCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
    Fulham paid £11m to land McCormack in 2014, the first of two huge money movesCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    Ross McCormack made his Rangers debut as a 17-year old in 2004 and big things were expected of the talented striker.
    However, he never quite managed to make the big breakthrough and was restricted to a handful of first team appearances over the next couple of seasons.
    He did, however, score a hugely memorable Champions League goal in November 2005.
    McCormack fired an equaliser in Porto as the Gers held the former European champions to a 1-1 draw on their way to reaching the knockout stages for the first time ever.

    A switch to Motherwell in 2006 proved an inspired move, with McCormack moving to the Football League with Cardiff in 2008.
    Finding a prolific streak, he earned a Scotland call-up and a big move to Leeds United in 2 010.
    He’d spend four years at Elland Road, with a stunning 29-goal season in 2013/14 convincing Fulham to splash out £11million on McCormack in 2014.
    Despite two more prolific campaigns, McCormack couldn’t fire the Cottagers back to the Premier League and in 2016 he was on the move again.
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    This time, Aston Villa splashed big money, landing him for £12million.
    That move, ultimately, didn’t work out and after 20 Championship appearances in 2016/17, he’d never play in the league for Villa again.
    McCormack spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest, Melbourne City, Central Coast Mariners and back to Motherwell before being released in 2019.
    Most recently, he turned out a couple of times for Aldershot Town in 2020 in the National League.
    He hasn’t had a club for the past three years – but now he’s back and in a somewhat unexpected place!
    McCormack’s signing has been announced by Liversedge FC, a club based just outside of Leeds and plying their trade at level EIGHT on the pyramid.
    They’ll be playing in the Northern Premier League Division One East this coming season having been relegated from the Premier Division last campaign.
    McCormack, capped 13 times by Scotland, hasn’t just signed on as a player, hoever.
    As well as getting his boots back on, the 36-year old has also revealed a new career.
    McCormack is also making the step up to boardroom level, taking on the role of director of football at the club as well.
    It’ll see him take up the somewhat unique position of player/director of football.
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    Just last week, former Celtic, Everton and Sunderland star Aiden McGeady announced a similarly surprising career switch, joining Ayr United in the Scottish Championship on a hybrid player/technical manager role.
    McCormack, now 36, has joined Liversedge FCCredit: TWITTER/LIVERSEDGE FC
    Aston Villa paid £12m to land McCormack in 2012Credit: Getty – Contributor
    McCormack was capped 13 times by ScotlandCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
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