EL-HADJI DIOUF wasn't afraid to ruffle a few feathers during his playing days.

But now the former Rangers, Liverpool and Bolton bad boy hopes to rule the roost as president of the Senegalese Football Federation.

Twice named African Footballer of the Year, for now Diouf is happy to learn the ropes as he serves the FSF as a "goodwill ambassador" and special advisor for sport to president Macky Sall.

Currently out at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, his Instagram account is full of images of him wearing full national dress as he mixes with the great and the good of the world game.

He has made no secret of his desire to win the top job in time – much as former Barcelona and Chelsea star Samuel Eto'o has with the Afcon host nation.

He said: "I am learning and I assure you that my objective is to lead the federation in the future."

Diouf says he has decided to return to Senegal to help unearth African talent – when he could have stayed in Europe and still enjoy a good life like some other African footballers.

He also ran a gym and his own NEWSPAPER since returning to Dakar.

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It's fair to say he wasn't everyone's cup of tea as he arrived at Rangers late on in his playing career.

The ex-Liverpool, Bolton and Leeds attacker moved to Ibrox on loan from Blackburn in 2011 but managed just two goals in 22 games.

He infamously clashed with Celtic skipper Scott Brown but the likes of former assistant boss Ally McCoist and ex-team-mate Steven Davis reckoned he played an important part in helping the Gers to a league and League Cup double.

McCoist told talkSPORT: "I remember Walter asking myself and Kenny [McDowall] what did we think.

"We needed to bring somebody in, we were struggling with injuries and suspensions.

"We looked at him, clearly a talented player there was no doubt about it, but a lot of baggage that came with him.

"But do you know what it did? As you'd expect, it probably turned the country against us.

"But it kind of strengthened us and brought us together a little bit without him being brilliant, and he was good in games."

Augustin Senghor was re-elected on August 7 as president of the Senegalese Football Federation for a fourth term. 

He has also been first vice-president of the Confederation of African Football since last March – and is bidding to become President, with Diouf supporting his candidature.

Diouf also famously had a feud with former Gers manager Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard wrote in his 2007 autobiography: "I wasn't Diouf's No1 fan.

"Being around Melwood and Anfield I knew which players were hungry, which players had Liverpool at heart. Diouf was just interested in himself.

"His attitude was all wrong. I felt he wasn't really arsed about putting his body on the line to get Liverpool back at the top.

“For example, the way he spat a huge globule of gunky phlegm at a Celtic fan in a UEFA Cup match at Parkhead in March 2003 summed up his contemptuous and spiteful demeanour.

“A few people have since asked me if I saw any comparison between Diouf and Mario Balotelli – and I’ve always said no. I’ve got respect for Balotelli; I’ve got none for Diouf.”

Diouf said in response: "What he said is only of interest to him. All I worried about was the Senegal team, I took them to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002.

"I was in Pele's 100 players of the century. Not him. I respect him as a footballer, but there is nobody more egotistical than him.

"He does not care about others. I spoke to the major figures at Liverpool and nobody can stand him."

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