BLACKBURN Rovers have opened their Sydney Festival of Football campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Rangers.
First half goals from Maurice Edu and Kenny Miller gave Rangers a fortuitous 2-0 half time lead, with Rovers unable to capitalise on a decent spell midway through the half.
It could have been worse for the English outfit on 62 minutes as well, after substitute Grant Hanley tangled with Edu in the penalty area, but Miller’s penalty kick hit the bar.
David Dunn pulled a goal back from the spot two minutes later, after Junior Hoilett had been tripped by Madjid Bougherra.
Rovers were the better side after the break and missed good chances through Jason Roberts and Steven Nzonzi.
But as the half wore on Rovers grew in confidence on the sticky surface, the 27th minute saw their best chance of the first half, Diouf with a ball from the right, Pedersen headed on before Jason Roberts turned brilliantly to shoot only for Alan McGregor to make a smart save.
Junior Hoilett then had penalty claims waved away as he looked to latch onto a Diouf centre, the Canadian going to ground at the back post, but the referee was unimpressed.
The lively El-Hadji Diouf almost fashioned a chance for himself when he played a one-two with Morten Gamst Pedersen but the Rangers goalkeeper was first to the ball.
Just when it looked like Rovers had gained a foothold in the game, the surface was their undoing as Rangers grabbed a second before half time, Steven Naismith finding Kyle Lafferty who then picks out Kenny Miller to turn and fire into the roof of the net. Paul Robinson did get a hand to the ball but couldn’t prevent the ball from crossing the line.
David Dunn
Each Rovers player who was marking their Rangers counterpart slipped in the process of the goal being scored.
Both sides resisted the urge to make changes as the second half restarted. It saw a bright opening by Rovers with both Diouf and Hoilett having early opportunities. Diouf latching onto a Jason Roberts header to shoot wide, then Roberts again providing the ball, this time for Hoilett, but McGregor was down quickly to save the shot from the edge of the box.
The biggest cheer of the afternoon came on the hour mark with the introduction of Brett Emerton, the Australian crowd all standing to applaud the introduction of the Sydney-born midfielder.
Also coming on at that time was defender Grant Hanley and he was immediately thrown into the action, and the controversy, as he tangled with Maurice Edu in the penalty area. The referee surprised many by ruling that the young Scot had fouled the American and pointed to the spot.
But justice was served when Kenny Miller failed to find the target from 12 yards, his fiercely struck penalty struck the top of the crossbar.
Two minutes later and it was Rovers’ turn to be awarded a spot kick. Junior Hoilett receiving the ball in the area before being tripped by Madjid Boughera.
Despite the claims from the Rangers players, the referee wasn’t about to change his mind and David Dunn stepped up to send Alan McGregor the wrong way.
After Emerton’s introduction, two of the other Rovers players who were away on international duty at the World Cup also returned to action with Lars Jacobsen and Vince Grella replacing Michel Salgado and David Dunn.
Rovers ended the game in the ascendency but they couldn’t grab that elusive leveller, Pascal Chimbonda firing high over the bar.
ROVERS: Robinson, Salgado (sub Jacobsen 68 mins), Chimbonda, Jones, Givet, Nzonzi (sub Hanley 60 mins), Hoilett, Dunn (sub Grella 79 mins), Roberts (sub Rigters 86 mins), Diouf, Pedersen (sub Emerton 60 mins).
Subs not used: Nelsen, Brown, Morris, Linganzi, Bunn.
RANGERS: McGregor, Boughera (sub Wylde 66 mins), Weir, Broadfoot, Webster, McCulloch, Edu (sub Fleck 66 mins), Davis, Miller (sub Perry 66 mins), Naismith, Lafferty.
Subs not used: Shinnie, Whitaker. Adam.
Attendance: 14,153
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RANGERS are unlikely to make attempts to keep El-Hadji Diouf at Ibrox this summer – despite the Blackburn Rovers winger saying yesterday that he wants to stay with the Scottish champions.
Diouf has spent the second half of the season on loan at Rangers with Rovers likely to be willing to consider letting the 30-year-old leave Ewood Park.
His hopes of staying north of the border appeared to be boosted recently when businessman Craig Whyte completed his takeover of the club.
Rangers are expected to have more money at their disposal this summer as a result of the takeover but it is understood that Ally McCoist, who will replace Walter Smith as boss for next season, would rather spend the cash elsewhere.
Diouf has become a fans’ favourite at Ibrox after impressing in his first few games for the club and fighting Rangers’ corner in the Old Firm derby fixtures against Celtic, a club where he has long been unpopular because of a spitting incident during his Liverpool days.
But the controversy surrounding his involvement in Rangers’ Scottish Cup defeat to their Glasgow rivals in March, when he was sent off after the final whistle, led to concerns about his long-term role at the club – even though he has remained a popular figure in the dressing room.
Diouf also lost his place towards the end of the season, appearing only as a substitute in the Gers’ last six matches.
McCoist is thought to be reluctant to make such a large financial outlay to keep a player who has not made a massive impact on the field in recent weeks.
The Senegal international is on a good salary at Rovers, who had to subsidise a portion of his wages before Rangers were able to afford to take him on loan in January.
Diouf, though, is not giving up on a possible return to Ibrox – either in a permanent move or in another loan deal – after helping Rangers to the league title and the Co-operative Insurance Cup this term.
“We are talking right now with the club to see what will happen after this season but I will tell you now this club is magic, really unbelievable,” said the wide man, who has a year left on his Ewood contract.
“The fans have been great and I have won two trophies and that is why I came here.
“Before I joined people asked me why I was coming because some people thought I was better than that, but no, I am not.
“This club is magic and I love the fans and want to thank them for everything.
“My whole time here has been one of the best in my football life.
“I’ve only been here for four months but everyone loves me and I got one of the best receptions from the fans.”
Rangers’ season is now over but Diouf will not be available for selection for Rovers’ final Premier League game of the season at Wolves, with UEFA rules meaning his loan does not officially expire until next month.