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{ New Boy: Diouf applaudes Ibrox fans after 1-0 victory over Hearts Pic: ©SNS Group

Rangers midfielder Jamie Ness has backed new signing El-Hadji Diouf to be a strong force for the Ibrox side and hopes the forward can have big part to play in the Old Firm derby on Sunday.

Diouf, who joined on loan from Blackburn on the transfer deadline day, made his debut for Rangers when he was brought on from the bench after 20 minutes in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Hearts.

Ness admitted he was impressed by the Senegalese’s performance and expects big things from his new team mate.

"It was difficult for him as I don't think he expected to come on so early," said the 19-year-old.

"But he showed some good touches and I think he will only get better and be a really good player for us."

Diouf, who was widely criticised for spitting at a Celtic fan in 2003, could feature in the fifth round match against the Hoops and Ness believes he has the potential to have a huge impact on the match.

He added: “[Diouf's] obviously got the quality so, if he's playing, hopefully he will be able to do something for us."

Ness is looking to secure a foothold in Walter Smith’s side himself after making his starting debut in the New Year Old Firm game. He hopes his recent performance have done enough to feature in Smith’s plans.

"Hopefully I'll be involved. I always want to play and hopefully the gaffer will think I've done enough to merit a place,” he said.

"I've trained with the first team boys regularly for almost two years so I know everyone really well and I know everyone's game well and I think that has helped me a lot."

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{ SCOTT Williams will run out for his first home start in the Magners League this evening with head coach Nigel Davies backing the 20-year-old centre to become the next hot prospect off the Parc y Scarlets production line.

In the absence of Wales international Jonathan Davies, the strong-running Williams has been in impressive form in recent weeks.

He made a couple of a powerful bursts in the battling LV= Cup defeat to the Dragons and also stood out in the 17-13 loss to Connacht in Galway last weekend.

Williams has an impressive pedigree.

He scored a stunning individual try for Wales Under-20s against France at the Arms Park last season and claimed the man-of-the-match award in Llanelli's Swalec Cup final triumph at the Millennium Stadium.

With the likes of Davies, Regan King and Gareth Maule all in fine form this season, chances in the Scarlets midfield have been limited.

However, Davies is hoping Williams can now show the future is bright for Scarlets fans still mourning the announcement that All Black playmaker King is on his way to Clermont Auvergne in the summer.

"Scott has really impressed over the last couple of weeks," said Davies. "He has really put his hand up which is great to see.

"Scott is our next level of development player coming through, if you like, and he is going to start putting pressure on people like Jon and Regan, which is what we want."

Williams slots into a back division showing just two changes from last weekend's reverse in Connacht.

New Wales cap Rhys Priestland replaces Dan Newton who drops to the bench, while Scotland's Sean Lamont is named on the wing with Darren Daniel returning to Premiership duty with Carmarthen Quins.

Josh Turnbull for Johnathan Edwards at openside is the lone change up front, with veteran prop Iestyn Thomas retaining the captain's armband.

As for Ulster, they welcome back Ireland's Paddy Wallace, Tom Court and Andrew Trimble from Six Nations duty.

Fly-half Ian Humphreys has passed a fitness test on the shoulder he injured against the Ospreys last weekend and he partners Springbok Ruan Pienaar at half-back.

Ulster will be looking to end a woeful record that sees them without a Celtic league victory in Llanelli. "It's a game we've got to win because we don't want to get too far down the table at this stage of the season," said Wallace.

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